Domestic violence is not always easy to recognize. It is not always physical, and the behaviors often develop gradually. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to understand the signs and know where to find support.
According to the CDC’s 2023/2024 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 34% of women and 17% of men in the United States have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Signs of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in which one partner tries to exert power or control over the other. It can include:
- Physical: slapping, punching, kicking, or other force
- Psychological: isolating a partner from friends or family, or humiliating or threatening them
- Financial: limiting access to working, spending, or going to school
- Sexual: pressuring or forcing sexual activity
- Digital: using technology to monitor, track, control, or intimidate a partner
If something feels unsafe or controlling, that is reason enough to reach out.
Where to Turn for Help
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers free, confidential support 24/7. Advocates can help you explore your options and build a safety plan. The Hotline is not an emergency service.
- Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Text: START to 88788
- Chat: thehotline.org
Additional helplines:
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: 844-762-8483
- National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 866-331-9474
- The Deaf Hotline (video phone): 855-812-1001
Devices and internet use can be monitored. If that is a concern, call the Hotline or use a device your partner cannot access.
Support Through Your Assistance Program
Your Assistance Program offers confidential counseling and referrals, including legal and financial concerns, for you and eligible household family members. The care team is available 24/7 at 800-451-1834. In an emergency, call 911 instead of submitting an online request. To learn more, visit Member Support.
Worried about someone else? Listening without judgment and letting them decide their next steps are among the most helpful things you can do. The Hotline’s guide to supporting a survivor can help, and your Assistance Program is available to you as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
A trained advocate provides support and crisis intervention, answers questions about domestic violence, and connects you with community resources and referrals. The Hotline is free and confidential. It does not provide direct financial assistance, such as cash or hotel vouchers, though advocates can point you to resources that may.
The Hotline’s directory of local providers lists shelters, legal help, financial aid, and counseling, and DVBeds shows real-time shelter bed availability. You can also call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for help finding services. Your Assistance Program can provide referrals for legal and financial concerns.
Internet use can be monitored and cannot be erased completely. If that is a concern, call the Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or use a device or network your partner cannot access. The Hotline’s internet safety guide explains more.
Abuse is not always physical, and it often develops gradually. If something feels unsafe or controlling, that is reason enough to reach out. The Hotline’s warning signs guide can help, and advocates are available to talk it through.