Everyone deserves to feel safe at home. But when you're living with an abusive partner, it's impossible to know when the next outburst will come.
Though men or women can be abused by their partners, domestic violence affects more women than men. Nearly 1 in 3 women has experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Defining abuse 
Abuse can&nbsp;come in three forms: 
<ul>
 <li>Battering and physical abuse: includes throwing objects, pushing, hitting, slapping, kicking or attacking with a weapon. </li>
 <li>Sexual abuse. </li>
 <li>Psychological abuse: includes controlling behavior, forcing someone to perform a degrading act, threatening physical harm, or attacking or destroying valued possessions. </li>
</ul>
In most violent relationships, physical and psychological abuse occur together.
Danger to children 
Children who grow up around domestic violence often get hurt too&mdash;whether by accident or on purpose, according to the <a href="http://www.aacap.org/" target="_blank">American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry</a>.
A partner may punch, hit or kick a female partner while she is pregnant, putting the baby at risk for direct injury or low birth weight. 
Children living in violent homes often are afraid or angry, but they may have trouble expressing these emotions. These children may think violence is the way to deal with problems, and they may enter abusive relationships themselves when they grow older. 
Getting help 
If you're in a violent relationship, tell someone about it and make sure you can contact the person in case you need to leave a dangerous situation. A nurse, doctor, social worker, close friend, family member or clergy member may be a good choice. Although it may be hard to talk about the abuse, it's important to make sure you have somewhere safe to go. 
An exit plan can help you and your children escape from a violent situation quickly. Pack a suitcase for you and your children that includes a change of clothing, toiletries and needed prescription medications. You should also pack an extra key to your car and house. 
In addition, put together a packet of important documents, such as birth certificates, Social Security cards, and mortgage papers or rent receipts. You should also bring along extra cash and your checkbook, credit cards and medical records. Keep this packet in your suitcase. 
Keep this suitcase somewhere safe, so you can grab it when you need to. 
Once you're away from the situation, you'll have some difficult decisions to make. You may opt for a legal separation or divorce, or you may decide to seek counseling with your partner. Whatever you decide, remember that no one deserves to be abused. You should do what you can to keep yourself and your children safe. 
Reviewed 2/29/2024

Escaping from domestic violence

If your partner abuses you mentally, physically or sexually, you owe it to yourself to get help.