Domestic violence is emotional, verbal, or physical abuse within significant/intimate relationships. It can occur in relationships where the parties involved are living or not living together; married, divorced, separated, or dating; have children or don't have children; are heterosexual or homosexual; are adults, children, elderly or disabled.
Domestic violence happens in all types of homes to all kinds of people, regardless of age, race, education, or economic status. The truth is, domestic violence can happen to anyone.
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You Have the Right…
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To ask for what you want.
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To say no to requests or demands you cannot meet.
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To express your feelings, positive or negative.
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To change your mind.
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To make mistakes and to not have to be perfect.
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To determine your own priorities.
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To not be responsible for others' behavior, actions, feelings or problems.
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To expect honesty from others.
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To be angry at someone you love.
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To feel scared and say, "I'm afraid".
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To not have to give reasons for your behavior.
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To your own need for personal time.
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To be playful and frivolous.
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To be healthier than those around you.
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To be in a non-abusive environment.
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To make friends and be comfortable around people.
Important Safety Tips
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Be aware of your surroundings and trust your feelings and instincts.
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Create a safety plan specific to your situation.
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Break your isolation and reach out to family, friends, service agencies, and others.
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Talk about safety with your children.
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Think about what documents you may need if you leave.
How to Keep Safe When Preparing/Planning to Leave:
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Leave money and extra keys with someone you can trust outside of the home.
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Keep copies of important documents in a place that can be accessed quickly and safely.
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Open a savings account to increase your independence.
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Leave extra clothes with someone you can trust in case you need to leave quickly.
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Keep change with you at all times for phone calls.
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Arrange where you can stay if you need to leave quickly.
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Determine other things specific to you that you can do to increase your independence.
- Contact The Women's Center's 24-hour crisis line at 262-542-3828 or 888-542-3828.
Women's Center Services
505 North East Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186
262-547-4600, Crisis Line 262-542-3828, FAX 262-522-3882
mail@twcwaukesha.org
The Women's Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity
and a United Way agency
Web site
funded by a grant from the SBC Excelerator Program