Ask yourself these questions. Be honest with yourself.

• When you give advice, do you expect it to be followed, no questions asked? Do you give orders, and feel outraged if they are not followed immediately?
• When you get angry, do others fear you?
• Have you ever threatened someone you love?
• Have you ever treated someone you love roughly? Have you thrown them around, pushed them, or shoved them?
• Are you jealous of your wife (or your girlfriend or your partner)? If she goes out with someone from her family, or another friend, does it make you angry?
• Did you grow up in a family where your parents fought a lot? Were you hurt by someone in your family when you were growing up?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may have a problem with violent behavior. For your own sake, and the sake of those you love, you need to take some action. You can make a choice to stop.

Fact: South Carolina law states that “It is unlawful to: (1) cause physical harm or injury to a person’s own household member, (2) offer or attempt to cause physical harm or injury to a person's own household member...�

What you need to do

• Accept the fact that your violent behavior will destroy your family. Be aware that you break the law when you physically hurt someone.
• Take responsibility for your actions and get help.
• When you feel tension building, get away. Work off the angry energy through a walk, a project, or a sport.
• Call a domestic violence hotline or health center and ask about counseling and support groups for people who batter.

“Our homes should be places of safety and comfort. Tragically, domestic violence can and does turn many homes into places of torment.�

George W. Bush

To learn more:

Domestic Violence: The Hidden Crime
(National Crime Prevention Council)

Lists questions that help identify abuse and offers suggestions to victims and those interested in stopping abuse.

http://www.ncpc.org/resources/files/pdf/violent-crime/hidden%20crime%20dome
stic%20violence.pdf

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Written by: Laura Cousineau, M.L.S.
Reviewed by: Jim Hernandez, L.M.S.W.
Last Modified: Thursday April 02, 2015 11:13 AM