Domestic & Dating Violence
Warning signs of an abuser
Anyone can be an abuser. They come from all groups, all cultures, all religions, all economic levels, and all backgrounds. They can be your neighbor, your pastor, your friend, your child's teacher, a relative, a coworker -- anyone. It is important to note that the majority of abusers are only violent with their current or past intimate partners. One study found 90% of abusers do not have criminal records and abusers are generally law-abiding outside the home.
There is no one typical, detectable personality of an abuser. However, they do often display common characteristics.
- An abuser often denies the existence or minimizes the seriousness of the violence and its effect on the victim and other family members.
- An abuser objectifies the victim and often sees them as their property or sexual objects.
- An abuser has low self-esteem and feels powerless and ineffective in the world. He or she may appear successful, but internally, they feel inadequate.
- An abuser externalizes the causes of their behavior. They blame their violence on circumstances such as stress, their partner's behavior, a "bad day," on alcohol, drugs, or other factors.
- An abuser may be pleasant and charming between periods of violence and is often seen as a "nice person" to others outside the relationship.
Red flags and warning signs of an abuser include but are not limited to:
- Extreme jealousy
- Possessiveness
- Unpredictability
- A bad temper
- Cruelty to animals
- Verbal abuse
- Extremely controlling behavior
- Antiquated beliefs about roles of women and men in relationships
- Forced sex or disregard of their partner's unwillingness to have sex
- Sabotage of birth control methods or refusal to honor agreed upon methods
- Blaming the victim for anything bad that happens
- Sabotage or obstruction of the victim's ability to work or attend school
- Controls all the finances
- Abuse of other family members, children or pets
- Accusations of the victim flirting with others or having an affair
- Control of what the victim wears and how they act
- Demeaning the victim either privately or publicly
- Embarrassment or humiliation of the victim in front of others
- Harassment of the victim at work
https://www.dangerassessment.org/uploads/pdf/DAEnglish2010.pdf
How healthy is your relationship?
https://www.loveisrespect.org/quiz/is-your-relationship-healthy/
Create a safety plan
https://www.thehotline.org/plan-for-safety/create-a-safety-plan/
https://ncadv.org/personalized-safety-plan
Confidential resource, on-campus
RMC/ JSU Student Health Center
1701 Pelham Road South, Jacksonville, Alabama
256.782.5310
- Pregnancy testing
- STI screening
- Referrals to other resources
JSU Student Counseling Services
On-call counselor 24/7, contact UPD to access
147 Trustee Circle
256.782.5475
Giselle Sharp is the victim and survivor counselor working especially with students who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking.
Confidential resource, off-campus
2ndChance, Inc.
- 24-hour crisis hotline for domestic and sexual violence survivors
- Emergency shelter
- Forensic exam support and advocacy in local Emergency Department
- Court and legal advocacy
- Support groups and holistic wellness activities for survivors and their support systems
- Counseling services
- Assistance with pets
- And more!
Crisis Line: 256.236.7233
Administration Office: 256.236.7381
2ndchance.org
- Rape Response Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Facility
- Specially trained to handle sexual assault cases
- Offers exams 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Free of charge
Birmingham, Alabama
205.323.7273
crisiscenterbham.org/rape-response.php
Private resource, on-campus
Title IX Office
Oversees the university’s centralized review, investigation, and resolution of reports of sexual misconduct, sex-based discrimination, or sex-based harassment (including incidents of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence).
Coordinates supportive measures
Jasmin Nunez
700 Pelham Road North
Angle Hall, Suite 301-A
Jacksonville, Alabama 36265
256.782.5769
titleix@jsu.edu
University Police Department (UPD)
Salls Hall 700 Pelham Road North
Jacksonville, Alabama 36265
256.782.5050
jsu.edu/police