Identifying Domestic Violence If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship. If you think you are in an abusive relationship, don’t discuss divorce with your husband until you speak with a family lawyer experienced in domestic violence.

1. Has my husband ever hit, grabbed, shoved, pinched, slapped or hurt me physically?
   
   
2. Has my husband ever stalked me?
   
   
3. Is my husband controlling, possessive, or jealous?
   
   
4. Does my husband:
   1. Threaten violence against me?
      
      
   2. Threaten violence against our children?
      
      
   3. Have a history of criminal activity or violence?
      
      
   4. Have a history of mental illness?
      
      
   5. Throw or break things when he’s angry?
      
      
   6. Threaten to hurt me if I leave him?
      
      
   7. Physically prevent me from leaving home?
      
      
   8. Have a history of alcohol or drug abuse?
      
      
   9. Have access to a gun?
      
      
   10. Threaten to kill himself if I leave him?
       
       
   11. Get angry when I disagree with him?
       
       
   12. Tell me whom I can befriend, work with or speak to?
       
       
   13. Get irritated or frustrated with my appearance, behavior or friendships with others?
       
       
   14. Call me names and insult me?
       
       
   15. Smother me with apologies and gifts after an angry explosion?
       
       
5. If there is a history of violence, is the frequency of and severity of the violence increasing?
   
   

This article is not legal advice. You should consult an attorney if you have legal questions that relate to your specific divorce.

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