If any of these things are happening or have happened to you, you may be in an abusive relationship. Get help now: call the Family Crisis Council's 24-hour Crisis Line at 704-636-4718.

Because battering is an ongoing pattern of behavior, domestic acts of violence are rarely a one-time event. The violence may get worse and more frequent over a period o time. It often begins with threats, name-calling, violence in your presence (such as punching a fist through a wall), or damage to objects or pets. It may escalate to restraining, pushing, slapping, pinching, kicking, biting or sexual assault. Finally, it may become life-threatening and include choking, strangulation, breaking bones, and the use of weapons.