- Do you think you might be in a destructive relationship? - If
it hurts or scares you, it's not healthy. - Relationships should
make both partners feel good about themselves and about each
other. This Counseling Center Help Screen is about domestic
violence; and, more specifically, spouse abuse. However, if you
are not a spouse, please keep reading because this may pertain
to you anyway. In spouse abuse, the couple may, but need not be
married. They may be separated, divorced, or living together.
They may just be dating. Domestic violence occurs when a
relationship is based on power and control. The abuse can be
physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual. Often, one or more
violent incidents are accompanied by an array of other types of
abuse. They may not be as obvious, but help to firmly establish
a pattern of intimidation and control in the This kind of abuse
occurs in every race, class, and educational background, from
doctors to truck drivers. It is extremely prevalent with 3 to 4
million women being batter