If someone is hurting you, it is not your fault, and you are not alone. CALL 911 FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE or see below for other resources.
How do I recognize an unhealthy situation?
How people show you that they care for you and how they give care affects your life. Sometimes a person may think that the way to care for you is by controlling you. This type of "care" is unhealthy and harmful when any of the following is happening:
- Putting you down by calling you names, insulting you or making fun of your disability
- Keeping you from your friends and family and/or convincing your family that you are to blame for family problems
- Threatening to take your children away or to report you as an unfit parent
- Making decisions for you and saying that you are not capable of making decisions on your own
- Denying you access to money or not allowing you to know how the money is managed
- Threatening and/or telling others you have a behavior problem, are crazy, or need to be put in an institution
- Blaming your disability or caregiving accidents for injuries really caused by physical abuse
- Slapping, pushing, choking, pulling hair, holding you down, threatening you with weapons or using weapons to hurt you
- Reminding you through words or looks that harm may come if you do not obey.
ABUSE IS NOT THE PRICE YOU HAVE TO PAY WHEN SOMEONE "CARES" FOR YOU IN THESE WAYS.
What can I do?
Talk with someone you trust -- a good friend, a caring health worker, a family member, or a person from your faith. Talk with someone who will:
- Listen to you
- Believe you
- Not blame you
- Not discriminate against you
- Keep what you tell them confidential
- Allow you to make your own decisions
Domestic violence advocates are often the best people to talk with in order to understand your rights. They are there to listen, to help you identify choices, and to help you look at the risks and benefits of those choices. They will not pressure you to do anything that you are not ready or able to do. They will keep what you tell them confidential. Only you can decide what is best for you.
Michigan Domestic Violence Programs
Michigan Coalition Against Domestic Violence
1-517-347-7000
Emergency Shelters in Michigan
1-800-A-SHELTER or 1-800-274-3583
Adult Abuse Reporting and Protective Services
1-800-996-6228
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
CALL 911 FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE!