Forms of Relationship Abuse:

The most common form of Relationship abuse is Domestic Violence.

Domestic Violence – an act that does not differentiate between cultures or countries. Domestic Violence – a phenomenon that tie most of the abused women together. Domestic violence – A social stigma even in the most developed of countries, prevalent among the most emancipated and liberated of all women. Domestic Violence – A cause for concern.

Recent attention to domestic violence began in the late 1960’s when instances of wives being beaten by their husbands began to gain attention. Although the exact statistics vary from place to place, alarmingly over 30%, (more than three in ten women)of women have experienced at least one incident of relationship abuse and/or domestic violence by the time they were 16. Statistics also indicate that the highest rate of wife assault occur in young couples often married for less than 2 years. Out of these only 26% of incidents were reported to the police and a measly 8% actually walked out on the relationship.

What you can do if trapped in an abusive relationship:

If you feel you are in an abusive relationship or being abused, SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY!!

•	Friends, family, anyone who you feel you can trust are the people you need to be talking to.
•	You may also join a support group, where you can share experiences with others like you and build up the courage to end the relationship.
•	You could see a therapist or a counselor who could help you through the process.
•	If you have access to the internet, you could seek help from professionals online. There are a number of local and national resources to assist you ensuring complete confidentiality.
•	Develop a safety plan for yourself. Learn how to defend yourself from the attacker when the need does arise. Come up with a safety net, a place where you can go to if you need to leave in a hurry.
•	And if the situation gets out of hand, don’t be afraid to report it to the nearest police station.

Relationships cannot be changed from one side. By holding on to such a relationship, you are enabling the abuse, indirectly helping your partner stay sick. Try and convince your partner to seek help and if all else fails, then detach yourself from the situation and seek professional help.