WSR

Abuse is a means to gain power and control. A behavior is abusive if it is hurtful, occurs in a pattern, and does not stop. Domestic violence is the single most common source of injury to women. Physical violence is estimated to occur in 4 to 6 million intimate relationships each year in the United States.

 “How tragic and utterly disgusting a phenomenon is wife abuse. Any man in this Church who abuses his wife, who demeans her, who insults her, who exercises unrighteous dominion over her is unworthy to hold the priesthood. Though he may have been ordained, the heavens will withdraw, the Spirit of the Lord will be grieved, and it will be amen to the authority of the priesthood of that man.”    President Gordon B. Hinckley

Forms of abuse:

Physical:

• Someone pushes, shoves, bites, kicks, hits, spits on, punches, slaps or says (s)he will use a knife, gun or other objects to hurt you, etc.

Sexual:

• Someone wants you to do something sexual that you don’t want to do, intimately touches you when you don’t want to be touched or forces you to watch pornography or sexual acts.

Mental:

• Someone criticizes you; tries to scare you; calls you names; makes you feel guilty or tries to control everything in your life, including your money, who you can talk to, where you can go or what you can you read; forces you to do something against the law; or breaks things.
  

Look out for men who:

• Do not listen to you, ignore you or talk over you.
• Sit or stand too close to you, making you uncomfortable and seem to enjoy it
• Do only what they want or push you to get what they want.
• Express anger and violence towards women either through words or physical actions.
• Have a bad attitude toward women.
• Are overly possessive or jealous
• Drink or use drugs heavily.
• Have a reputation for “scoring.”

If you are abused:

• You are not alone and you are not to blame. You cannot control his violence. There are ways you can make yourself safer.
• Call the police if you have been assaulted. Charging abusive males is a necessary step in reducing physical violence.
• Tell someone and keep a record of all incidents for evidence.
• Write down the details for yourself as soon as possible after the assault. Keep it in a safe place where he won’t find it.