Hill Country CARES provides safe shelter for those victims of domestic violence. Please read the information below to see if you detect abusive behaviors in your relationship. Is this happening to you? Our hotline is available 24 hours a day.

• Frightened you by looks or gestures
• Slapped you
• Punched you
• Kicked you
• Choked you
• Pulled you by your hair
• Accused you of having an affair
• Needed to know where you are at all times
• Forced you to ask or beg for money
• Minimized or denied abusing you
• Threw you on the floor or against the wall
• Threatened to kill or hurt your pet
• Broken or smashed things
• Displayed or used weapons against you
• Isolated you from family or friends
• Put you down, criticized you in front of his friends or family
• Called you names
• Prevented you from working or going to school
• Blamed you for his violence
• Threatened a relative
• Pressured or forced you to have sex after an assault
• Put you down or demeaned you as a sexual partner

Tactics used by abuser are not displays of anger or one-time incidents but part of a pattern of abuse.

The following questions may help you examine how dangerous your situation is and how it is affecting your life. The number of "yes" answers does not necessarily indicate greater or lesser danger but answering these questions can alert you to what you may already suspect about the danger of your situation. Remember: domestic violence can lead to death.

• Has your partner ever injured you so badly you needed medical attention?
• Does he seem preoccupied or obsessed with you? (following you, monitoring your whereabouts, stalking)
• Have his assaults or abuse become more violent or brutal?
• Do you believe he may seriously hurt or kill you?
• Has he killed or hurt a family pet?
• Was your partner's last relationship abusive?
• Has your partner ever been charged with domestic assault?
• Have you separated or tried to separate from your partner in the last 12 months?
• Have you sought outside help because of the abuse during the past 12 months? (Order for Protection, shelter, police, counseling, support groups, alcohol or drug treatment)
• Do you feel isolated from sources of help?
• Does he have access to a gun?
• Has he ever threatened your life?
• Has he threatened violent retaliation if you leave?

Remember we have a 24 hour hotline ( 830.257.2400 ) if you need assistance!