Domestic violence is the most under reported crime on women in America. Domestic violence – abuse – happens to women of all races, religions, social groups, education levels, and socio-economic groups.

If you think you're being abused you're not alone and there is help for you! You can get help today and begin a life of happiness and peace tomorrow.

Are you being abused by your husband? Do you live in fear, isolation, and under someone else's control?

Three to four million women in America are beaten in the safety of their own homes every year by the men who "love" them; husbands and boyfriends beat and kill their wives and lovers everyday. In fact every 15 seconds a woman is beaten by her partner.

Domestic violence isn't just physical beatings; it can be verbal abuse, intimidation, control, threats; domestic abuse has many faces and comes in many forms.

Do you think you're being abuses? Chances are if you're wondering about it then you are. Take this quick quiz and determine if you're suffering domestic violence:

1. Has my husband ever hit, grabbed, shoved, pinched, slapped, or hurt me physically?
   
   
2. Has my husband ever stalked me?
   
   
3. Is my husband controlling, possessive, or jealous?
   
   
4. Does my husband:
   1. Threaten violence against me?
      
      
   2. Threaten violence against our children?
      
      
   3. Have a history of criminal activity or violence?
      
      
   4. Have a history of mental illness?
      
      
   5. Throw or break things when he’s angry?
      
      
   6. Threaten to hurt me if I leave him?
      
      
   7. Physically prevent me from leaving home?
      
      
   8. Have a history of alcohol or drug abuse?
      
      
   9. Have access to a gun?
      
      
   10. Threaten to kill himself if I leave him?
       
       
   11. Get angry when I disagree with him?
       
       
   12. Tell me whom I can befriend, work with or speak to?
       
       
   13. Get irritated or frustrated with my appearance, behavior or friendships with others?
       
       
   14. Call me names and insult me?
       
       
   15. Smother me with apologies and gifts after an angry explosion?
       
       
   16. If there's a history of violence, is the frequency and severity of the violence increasing?
       
       

If you answered yes to just one of these questions, you're being abused and experiencing domestic violence. There is an answer; you don't have to live with domestic abuse – no matter what. There is no acceptable amount of domestic violence.

Domestic violence usually doesn’t change, hoping your partner will change; accepting endless apologies and promises that it won't happen again isn't the way out. Abuse generally increases with time in frequency and severity.

You deserve a way out; you deserve a better life – it can happen when you take the first step.
Leaving a relationship with domestic violence can be frightening and challenging – but it can happen. If you want out of your relationship or marriage with domestic violence, start planning now. There are sources of help just for you. Professionals are available who won't judge you but will help you (and your children) escape an abusive situation in the safest, easiest way possible.

There are many options for financial assistance when fleeing a situation with domestic violence too.
Please, protect yourself and your children from a lifetime of pain and suffering. Take action now! Contact any one of the centers below for help and support:

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a national information and referral center for battered women and their children that helps provide crisis intervention, emotional support and legal guidance to those in need.

The National Domestic Violence Hotlineis a project of the Texas Council on Family Violence which is, "one of the largest domestic violence coalitions in the nation" (24–hour hotline: 800–799–SAFE (7233) or 1–800–787–3224 (TTY)).

WomensLaw.org is an exemplary legal resource for women in violent relationships. It has state-specific information, including states’ domestic violence laws and downloadable legal forms.

State Resources

To find domestic violence resources in your area, select your state in the drop down menu below.

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This article is not legal advice. You should consult an attorney if you have legal questions that relate to your specific divorce.

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