No one, no matter their situation, should ever have to experience physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. You deserve to feel safe; more importantly, what you’re going through isn’t your fault. We want to provide tips to help you. Your first step may be to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

You Are Not Alone

Sadly, statistics show that, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. This equates to more than 10 million women and men during one year. Although those numbers don’t help you deal with your situation, they reveal that many others face the same fear.

In Missouri, 41.8% of women experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. 

Steps You Can Take

HelpGuide.org offers several excellent tips in their article, How to Get Out of an Abusive Relationship. First, it’s critical to recognize if your partner is attempting to change. If not, you need to develop a safety and escape plan. 

Safety Plan

• Know your abuser’s red flags
• Identify safe areas of your house
• Come up with a code word or phrase

Escape Plan

• Be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice
• Practice escaping
• Purchase a “burner phone”
• Make and memorize a list of emergency contacts
• Contact a domestic violence or sexual assault program in your area
• Build as strong a support system as you can
• Be kind to yourself

Your Pregnancy and Abuse

When an abusive partner discovers an unplanned pregnancy, it can cause more anger. Perhaps the financial responsibility is stressful, or they’re jealous they won’t get the same attention. No matter their reason, it is not okay. 

You jeopardize the health and safety of yourself and your child when dealing with abuse. No one deserves this. You deserve to be safe, happy, healthy and loved. 

Come to a Willowbrook Women’s Center location for emotional and physical support. We can help you. One of our advocates can offer resources and referrals.

Please let us walk alongside you during this difficult time. You and your baby’s life may depend on it. Schedule a no cost and confidential appointment today.