"It can be hard to know if your relationship is headed down the wrong path. While it’s not always possible to prevent relationship violence, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. If you think your partner might be controlling or abusive, it’s important to trust your feelings. If something doesn’t seem right, take it seriously. Learn the warning signs of someone who might become controlling or violent, and get help by talking to experts in relationship violence. If your partner is controlling or abusive, it’s better to get help now than to wait. Controlling or violent relationships usually get worse over time. If your partner hurts you, it’s not your fault.\n\nRelationship violence is when one person in a relationship is abusive or controlling toward the other person, especially when they disagree about something. Relationship violence is sometimes called dating violence, domestic violence, or intimate partner violence. In some relationships, both partners act in abusive or controlling ways. Relationship violence can include physical violence, such as pushing, hitting, or throwing things; sexual violence, such as forcing or trying to force someone to do something sexual; threats of physical or sexual violence, which may include threatening to hurt another person or a pet; and emotional abuse, such as embarrassing a partner or keeping that person away from family and friends.\n\nRelationship violence can start slowly and be hard to recognize at first. When people first start dating, it’s common to want to spend a lot of time together, but spending less time with other people can also be a sign that your partner is trying to control your time. Consider whether your partner respects you; blames you for everything that goes wrong; makes most of the decisions in the relationship; causes you to be afraid to tell them something; makes you feel forced to do things you do not want to do; has pressured you into doing something sexual when you did not want to; or promises to change and then keeps doing the same things.\n\nIf you feel controlled by or afraid of your partner, even if you haven’t been hurt physically, trust yourself. There are people who can help you figure out what to do next. If you are not sure whether your relationship is violent, you can still get help. Domestic violence agencies have counselors who are experts at helping people with questions about their relationships, and you do not have to give your name. If you have questions about your relationship, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) or chat online with a trained advocate. If you are in danger right now, call 911."