Last Update 04/02/2008

Am I in a Battering Relationship?

YES,  you may be a VICTIM if you:

• are frightened of your partner's temper
• are often compliant because you are afraid of your partner's feelings or are afraid of your partner's anger
• have the urge to "rescue" your partner when your partner is troubled
• find yourself apologizing to yourself or to others for your partners behavior when you are treated badly
• have been kicked, shoved or had things thrown at you by your partner when he or she was jealous or angry
• make decisions about activities and friends according to what your partner wants or how you partner will react

YES, you may be a BATTERER if you:

• are often jealous
• sulk silently when upset
• have an explosive temper
• find yourself criticizing and putting down your partner a lot
• have difficulty expressing your feelings
• believe that it is your role to be in charge
• are protective of your partner to the point of controlling his/her activities and relationships
• control your partner's behavior, money, and decisions
• have broken things, thrown things at your partner, hit, shoved, or kicked your partner when angry

Last date reviewed (no legal content) 4/2/08 (PLL/M.A.J)

Source: This section is reprinted with permission from "Family Violence and Religion," a book published in 1995 by Volcano Press. This particular material is from pages 91-92 which were, in turn, used with permission.  Copyright © 1984 by the Southern California Coalition on Battered Women, P.O. Box 5036, Santa Monica, California 90405.Some editing by Maryland Legal Assistance Network.  Updated by the Maryland State Law Library (MSLL).