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Leaving an abuse relationship can be one of the hardest thing a person does. We are here to talk with you at any point in your journey.

Signs of Domestic Violence

Abuse of any kind is never your fault. No one deserves to be abused. No one has the right to abuse another.

  • Extreme jealousy
  • Possessiveness
  • Unpredictability
  • A bad temper
  • Cruelty to animals
  • Verbal abuse
  • Extremely controlling behavior
  • Antiquated beliefs about roles of women and men in relationships
  • Forced sex or disregard of their partner’s unwillingness to have sex
  • Sabotage of birth control methods or refusal to honor agreed upon methods
  • Blaming the victim for anything bad that happens
  • Sabotage or obstruction of the victim’s ability to work or attend school
  • Controls all the finances
  • Abuse of other family members, children or pets
  • Accusations of the victim flirting with others or having an affair
  • Control of what the victim wears and how they act
  • Demeaning the victim either privately or publicly
  • Embarrassment or humiliation of the victim in front of others
  • Harassment of the victim at work
Get Help with Domestic Violence in Attica, IN

Safety Plan

Hope Springs is here to help victims interested in developing a personalized safety plan.

 

Leaving an abusive situation can be the most dangerous time. It is strongly encouraged that a victim gets professional help and support during this time.

A safety plan is a personalized and practical plan that helps identify things a victim can do to better protect themselves and their children and to help reduce the risk of being hurt.

 

 

It is important to have a plan to increase safety as violence can escalate.

 

A victim cannot control his or her partner’s abusive behavior, but they can take steps to protect themselves and their children from harm.

  • Obtaining a new cell phone
  • Changing a routine
  • Changing locks and installing security systems
  • Determining ways to keep children safe
  • Creating a plan for where to go should an incident occur
  • Calling Domestic Violence Crisis Center
  • Putting aside a bag with money, a change of clothes, identification, and medication.
  • Putting aside important documents like birth certificates and social security cards.
Safety planning

Effects on Children

When people think of domestic and family violence, they often think of how much it hurts the adult victim.

 

However, children also experience domestic violence and this affects their physical and emotional health and wellbeing.

Of those who experience domestic and family violence, more than 50% have children in their care.

 

The impact of domestic and family violence on children is immense and can often affect them for the rest of their lives. 

 

Children and young people don’t have to see the violence to be affected by it.

Studies show that living with domestic violence can cause physical and emotional harm to children and young people in the following ways:

 

  • ongoing anxiety and depression
  • emotional distress
  • eating and sleeping disturbances
  • physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches
  • find it hard to manage stress
  • low self-esteem
  • self-harm
  • be aggressive towards friends and schoolmates
  • feel guilt or blame themselves for the violence
  • have trouble forming positive relationships
  • develop phobias and insomnia
  • struggle with going to school and doing school work
  • use bullying behavior or become a target of bullying
  • difficulty concentrating
  • find it hard to solve problems
  • have less empathy and caring for others
  • suffer from depression
  • be homeless
  • abuse drugs and alcohol
  • engage in risk-taking behaviors
  • experience or use violence and be controlling and manipulative in relationships

Sometimes being exposed to domestic and family violence isn’t just a matter of witnessing it. Children and young people are often physically hurt during violent episodes, either accidentally or deliberately.

 

Children and young people need to grow up in a secure and nurturing environment. Where domestic or family violence exists, the home is not safe or secure and children are scared about what might happen to them and the people they love.

In utero – An unborn child may be injured in the womb due to violence aimed at the mother’s abdomen or suffer from exposure to drugs or alcohol that a mother may use to cope with stress.

 

Babies – An infant exposed to violence may have difficulty developing attachments with their caregivers and in extreme cases suffer from failure to thrive.

 

Toddler – A preschooler’s development may be affected and they can suffer from eating and sleep disturbances.

 

Child – A school-aged child may struggle with peer relationships, academic performance, and emotional stability.

 

Teenager – An adolescent may be at higher risk of substance misuse or of either perpetrating or becoming a victim of dating violence.

Unfortunately, technology and the internet can also be used by abusive partners to begin, continue, or escalate abuse, making it all the more important to ensure your safety online.

 

  • Your computer and cell phone use can be monitored without you knowing it.
  • Your history can never be completely erased from a computer or device, even if you browse in “private” or “incognito” mode.
  • Email can be intercepted like physical mail.
  • Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers can be placed in your car or on items like your purse or cell phone.
  • Some court systems publish their records online, which could contain compromising personal information like names or addresses.
Child abuse awareness month

Teen Dating Violence

Teen dating violence, sometimes referred to as intimate partner violence, is any physical, psychological, or emotional abuse that occurs within dating relationships of young people ages 12 to 18.

This violence usually takes place face-to-face or electronically, such as via phone calls, text messages, or the Internet.

 

Teen dating violence doesn’t always occur between individuals who are currently in a relationship; it can also happen between those who were once in a relationship.

Physical violence: Any type of abuse that causes bodily harm, including pinching, hitting, shoving, or kicking.


Emotional violence: Threatening behavior aimed at a partner in an attempt to diminish his or her self-worth. Examples of emotional or psychological violence include bullying and purposeful embarrassment.


Sexual violence: Actively forcing someone to participate in a sexual act when he or she does not consent. Another example of sexual violence is threatening to spread rumors if a partner rejects sex.


Stalking: Undesired harassing or threatening behavior committed by one individual toward another. Examples of stalking include repeated, uninvited visits to someone’s home, unwanted surveillance, consistent electronic communication, etc.

The effects of teen dating violence can be detrimental to a person’s physical and emotional well-being and ultimately lead to antisocial behaviors and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. If you or someone you know is suffering from dating abuse, here are some tips:

  • Tell someone: Don’t be afraid to talk to a friend, adult, family member, or someone you trust. There are people and organizations who can help you get out of a violent dating situation before it escalates.

  • Document the abuse: Record what’s taking place. Keep a journal of the violence you’re experiencing, including dates and times of each incident. Seek medical care for any injuries. Print out emails, text messages, or any other form of electronic communication that contains evidence of dating violence.

  • Leave the relationship: Relationships can turn violent quickly. If this happens, get out of the immediate situation. Consult friends or trusted adults for help before the abuse intensifies.

 

One of the best resources for learning about healthy relationships and teen dating violence is www.loveisrespect.org. This website provides answers to the following questions:

 

The website also offers several quizzes to test your knowledge of healthy relationships and dating abuse: http://www.loveisrespect.org/#quizhome.

 

If you are a victim of dating violence and are feeling lost and scared, contact Hope Springs (765) 764-5212 or talk to someone who can protect you.

 

Teachers, counselors, and other adults are there to help. Seeing a counselor or other professional does not mean there is something wrong with you. Never blame yourself, and never be afraid to get help when you need it.

Domestic Violence

Internet Safety

Technology and the Internet are powerful tools for anyone experiencing domestic violence.

 

They can be essential resources to access help and information, and valuable platforms to connect with friends, family members, advocates, and service providers.

Unfortunately, technology and the internet can also be used by abusive partners to begin, continue, or escalate abuse, making it all the more important to ensure your safety online.

 

  • Your computer and cell phone use can be monitored without you knowing it.
  • Your history can never be completely erased from a computer or device, even if you browse in “private” or “incognito” mode.
  • Email can be intercepted like physical mail.
  • Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers can be placed in your car or on items like your purse or cell phone.
  • Some court systems publish their records online, which could contain compromising personal information like names or addresses.

Internet safety: Always remember to keep your safety in mind when contacting Hope Springs and be sure to clear your browser history of the content you wouldn’t want your partner to see, including this website.

Computers store information about the websites you visit. That means bills you pay and purchases you make are tracked, and messages or emails can be retrieved. You should always consider that a computer might be monitored when you use it and be careful with what you send others or post.

Safe computers can be found at your local library, Internet cafe, shelter, workplace, or computer technology center; avoid using shared computers when researching things like travel plans, housing options, legal issues, and safety plans. Using safe browsing practices can help prevent abusive partners from tracking your Internet history.

Email safety: Email can be a useful way to keep in touch with trusted friends and family members who may be aware of your situation. An abusive partner is likely to know this and may have access to your email account without your knowledge. 

 

To be safe, open an account your partner doesn’t know about on a safe computer and use that email for safety planning and sensitive communications.

Use several different methods of communication when contacting people so that you’ll know if they tried to reach you elsewhere, and keep your monitored account active with non-critical emails in order to maintain appearances.

Cell phone safety:  As technology has evolved, cell phones have become increasingly embedded in our daily lives. This provides quick access to resources and information, but it can also give other people instant updates on your whereabouts, habits, and activities. 

 

Cell phones can be used to track your location and retrieve call and text history.

 

If you’re in an abusive relationship, consider purchasing a pay-as-you-go phone and keep it in a safe place for private calls. Use a password on your phone and update it regularly. If you are concerned that your partner may be secretly monitoring your phone, consider taking it into a cell phone service center to check for any spyware that may be downloaded.

Always remember to keep your safety in mind when contacting Hope Springs and be sure to clear your browser history of the content you wouldn’t want your partner to see, including this website.

 

Internet safety: Computers store information about the websites you visit. That means bills you pay and purchases you make are tracked, and messages or emails can be retrieved. You should always consider that a computer might be monitored when you use it and be careful with what you send others or post.

Safe computers can be found at your local library, Internet cafe, shelter, workplace, or computer technology center; avoid using shared computers when researching things like travel plans, housing options, legal issues, and safety plans. Using safe browsing practices can help prevent abusive partners from tracking your Internet history.

 

Email safety: Email can be a useful way to keep in touch with trusted friends and family members who may be aware of your situation. An abusive partner is likely to know this and may have access to your email account without your knowledge. 

 

To be safe, open an account your partner doesn’t know about on a safe computer and use that email for safety planning and sensitive communications.

Use several different methods of communication when contacting people so that you’ll know if they tried to reach you elsewhere, and keep your monitored account active with non-critical emails in order to maintain appearances. 

 

Cell phone safety:  As technology has evolved, cell phones have become increasingly embedded in our daily lives. This provides quick access to resources and information, but it can also give other people instant updates on your whereabouts, habits, and activities. 

 

Cell phones can be used to track your location and retrieve call and text history.

 

If you’re in an abusive relationship, consider purchasing a pay-as-you-go phone and keep it in a safe place for private calls. Use a password on your phone and update it regularly. If you are concerned that your partner may be secretly monitoring your phone, consider taking it into a cell phone service center to check for any spyware that may be downloaded.

 

Social media safety:  Posts on social media are never truly private, no matter your settings: once it’s online, it’s no longer under your control. Be protective of your personal information and remember that phone numbers, addresses, handles, and personal details (like birth date, schools you attended, employers, and photos with landmarks) may make it easier for someone to reach you.

 

Set boundaries and limits, and ask people not to post personal information, photos, or check-ins you aren’t comfortable with.

 

Check your social media settings to make sure your privacy settings are strict, and disable the ability for other people to tag you in their photos or posts.

Similarly, don’t post information about people without their consent – you could jeopardize their safety or the safety of others.

Internet Security