Domestic Abuse

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• You think you are in immediate physical danger.
• You or someone else has just been physically or sexually abused.
• You have been physically hurt and do not have someone who can safely take you to emergency care.

Note:

If you have been sexually assaulted, preserve evidence of the attack—do not change clothes, eat, drink, smoke, bathe, brush teeth, or clean up in any way. Write down all the details about the attack and the attacker.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review risk factors that may increase your chance of becoming a victim of domestic abuse.

Note:

If you have concerns about someone else's physical, sexual, or emotional safety, see the Home Treatment and Prevention sections of this topic. If you are concerned about your own violent behavior, see the Prevention section of this topic.

Yes	Has someone hurt you?
Yes	Are you concerned about your safety, either physically or emotionally?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

It is important to watch for signs of intimate partner abuse. If your partner has any of the following behaviors, you need to seek help:

• Calls you names or tells you that you are crazy
• Criticizes things you do and say, or criticizes how you look
• Blames you for the abuse he or she commits
• Limits where you can go, what you can do, and who you can talk to
• Unexpectedly checks up on you at your workplace, home, school, or elsewhere
• Apologizes for abusive behavior and tells you it will never happen again, even though it already has

These national hotlines can help you find resources in your area. Call:

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline toll-free 1-800-799-7233.
• The National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline toll-free 1-866-331-9474.

If you are concerned about:

• Physical abuse: Go to the topic Physical Abuse.
• Sexual abuse: Go to the topic Sexual Abuse or Assault (Rape).

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: May 6, 2008
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Brigid McCaw, MD, MS, MPH, FACP - Family Violence Prevention
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