Domestic violence crosses all ethnic, racial, age, national origin, sexual orientation, religious, and socioeconomic lines. Domestic violence can happen to anybody. In fact, studies suggest that one-fifth to one-third of all women will be physically assaulted by a partner or ex-partner during their lifetime. In heterosexual relationships, 95 percent of all victims are female; and 95 percent of all perpetrators are male. In same-sex relationships, domestic violence happens with the same statistical frequency as in heterosexual relationships.

1. Could you be a victim?
2. Are you often afraid of your partner?
3. Is your partner overly jealous?
4. Do you avoid certain topics or spend a lot of time figuring out how to talk about certain topics so that you do not arouse your partner’s anger?
5. Do you ever feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
   Is your partner controlling and won’t let you see your family and friends?
6. Does your partner insult you?
7. Do you sometimes wonder if you are the one who is crazy, that maybe you are overreacting to your partner’s behaviors?
8. Do you sometimes fantasize about ways to kill your partner to get him or her out of your life?
9. Are you afraid that your partner may try to kill you?
10. Do you feel that there is nowhere to turn for help?
11. Are you feeling emotionally numb?
12. Were you abused as a child, or did you grow up with domestic violence in the household?
13. Do you sometimes feel like you deserve to be physically hurt?
14. Are you afraid of losing your children and pets if you leave?

Pizzini Law Firm can assist victims of abuse by obtaining an Emergency Protective Order, a Victim’s Protective Order. This can be a difficult process for a victim and we can help. Protection orders are intended by the court to protect you and your family against violent or harassing behavior from your spouse, ex-spouse, a current spouse of your ex-spouse, any blood relatives, adoptive/foster relatives, roommates, former roommates, someone with whom you have had a child with and your current or former significant other.