Domestic abuse is disturbingly common, affecting one-in-three women and a quarter of men at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, many victims are unaware that their treatment qualifies as abuse, which can keep them from getting the help they need. If you notice the following signs, speak to a family law attorney, who will help you find a way out of this seemingly impossible situation.

3 Common Signs of Domestic Violence

1. Controlling Behavior

Abuse often begins with jealous behavior, including attempts to control who you spend time with, where you go, and what jobs you can take. Your partner may accuse you of having an affair, which is often a way to deflect from their own behavior. As this escalates, they might try to control your access to money and eventually start making threats of physical violence if you don’t meet all of their expectations.

2. Isolation

To tighten their control over their victims, abusers typically try to isolate their partners from family or friends. The isolation may begin by disparaging those closest to you and end with forbidding you to spend time or speak to those who could help. Eventually, you may feel as though you have no one left but an abusive partner and no choice but to stay in the relationship.

3. Physical Abuse

Slapping, punching, and biting are immediately recognizable as physical abuse, but other actions could also be considered a form of violence. For instance, locking you in or out of the house, leaving you in areas you don’t know, or withholding food, keeping you awake, or refusing medical care can also be forms of domestic violence. If your partner has subjected you to humiliation or fear, a family lawyer can help you get the protection you need.

For over 30 years, the family law attorneys at Lane, Felix & Raisbeck CO, LPA have helped domestic violence victims throughout the Greater Cincinnati Area free themselves from impossible situations. They pride themselves on giving every client the compassionate service they deserve and giving them the legal protection they need. Visit their website for an overview of their practice areas or call (513) 922-7700 to discuss your situation and schedule a consultation with a family law attorney.