• slapping, hitting, punching, choking, grabbing, shoving, kicking, cornering you, your kids, your pets
• punching, kicking, smashing walls, doors, furniture, possessions
• threatening you with weapons or looks or gestures
• threatening suicide
• threatening to hurt you, your kids, friends, family or pets
• forcing you to have sex
• putting you down, calling you names, swearing at you, yelling
• putting your kids, friends or family down
• controlling all the money, including money you earn
• blaming you or your kids for everything
• making you feel like nothing you do is ever good enough
• treating you like a servant or slave
• controlling where you go, what you do, what you wear
• controlling who you see or who you talk to, what you say
• humiliating you in front of other people
• refusing to let you leave the relationship.

Women—all ages, races, religions, rich, poor, farm, city—even pregnant women. Men. Infants, kids, youths, seniors. Professionals, employees, people with disabilities, church goers, students. Friends, relatives, neighbours. Married, common law, separated, divorced, dating, straight, gay. It could be anyone—even you. No one deserves it.

It's not your fault. You can't stop the abuse. You can't change the abuser. Only the abuser can. Meanwhile you need support. You need to get safe. There are people who care and are ready to listen. Talk to someone you trust—a friend, relative, doctor, nurse, counsellor. Call an Abuse Help Lines number listed on this web site or on the Abuse Help Lines page near the front of your SaskTel/DirectWest telephone book. Keep asking for help until you get it.

They need the abuse to stop. They need information and support to make their own decisions. Admitting to and breaking free from abuse can be very hard, even dangerous. No one should have to struggle with it alone. If you think someone you know is being abused, let them know you care and are ready to listen. Suggest they get help from someone they trust—a doctor, nurse, counsellor, the police. Check out the services listed on this web site for them. Learn about the Victims of Domestic Violence Act for them. Show them or tell them about this web site and the Abuse Help Lines page near the front of your SaskTel/DirectWest telephone book.