Information for understanding domestic violence and abuse and for handling difficult people

Everyone deserves a life free of abuse, but often when you are in the middle of an abusive relationship, it can be easy to miss the undercurrent of abusive behavior. Emotional abuse can be very subtle. Recognizing signs of emotional and verbal is key to gaining awareness, making empowered decisions, and building safe boundaries. Once you know what the “red flags” are, you are better able to see them waving miles away! Visit "Love Is Not:"

Emotional abuse is one of the hardest forms of abuse to identify. It can be subtle or it can be overt and manipulative. Many people don't realize that abuse isn't just physical.

• Threatening to hurt you, your loved ones, your pets, your children, or your possessions
• Controlling the time you spend with others, or monitoring where you go
• Controlling what you wear, often with the accusation that you attract too much attention
• Damaging or stealing your belongings
• Blaming you for the abuse, saying that you deserve what happens or that you instigated the problem
• Gaslighting: saying things to make you question your perception of reality, such as “That never happened."

• Attacking your sense of self-worth
• Insulting you, calling you names, criticizing you, humiliating you
• Acting jealous or possessive, accusing you of being with other partners
• Withholding affection or acknowledgment in order to punish you
• Cheating on you intentionally
• Lying to you

Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish (Espanol) and 200+ through interpretation service  Visit the website.

Communication & Screening Advocate at info@psghelps.org 

Serves Denver, Adams, Broomfield, and Arapahoe Counties 

Visit Website for Excellent local resources.

Family Tree is a non-profit human services agency providing innovative, life-changing services designed to end child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness. (Denver Metro Area) visit website

The Rose Andom Center in Denver improves the lives of domestic violence victims by facilitating better access to services and staff of community organizations and government agencies in a single, safe location. visit website

Alternatives to Violence provides shelter, advocacy, education, and resources for people impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. (Loveland and Southern Larimer Counties) 

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Services are offered for free:  

• Emergency shelter 
• 24-hour crisis intervention/victim advocates 
• Court advocates 
• Housing resource services 
• Referrals and resource information 
• Community education programs

Helping Survivors' mission is to assist anyone who has been victimized by sexual assault or abuse. Their website is a compilation of information around different instances of sexual violence. They offer resources to assist survivors and their families, and will continuously be adding more. They recently made a guide specific to domestic violence and sexual abuse. It has tons of great info, including how to help someone who has experienced this type of abuse and warning signs.

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The Battles During and Afterward: The author of this book shares what to expect during and after a divorce from a narcissist and how to protect yourself and your children. She provides coaching, education, and support to help people nationwide. Divorcing a Narcissist: One Mom's Battle

"For Emotional Predators, life is a strategy game to dominate and control, and you are either a player to be defeated or a game piece to be used. Before you know what’s happening, they’ll ruin your life without empathy or remorse – and traditional approaches will make things worse."  Protecting Yourself From Emotional Predators

"This book will help you to sort out whether your partner’s behavior is just “normal relationship stuff” or whether he is trying to control you. And if he is controlling, Lundy will guide you in how to keep yourself safe and sort out the way forward for your life."  Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men

If you resonate with any of the following statements, you would be helped by having a divorce coach on your team: 

• I am new to divorcing a narcissist (or high-conflict individual) and I don’t want to make mistakes. 
• I don’t understand what matters to the court system and I feel lost.
• I struggle with what (and how) to document.
• The judge sees me as part of the problem and I don’t know how to turn this around.
•  I feel alone and no one understands

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The legislature and the courts also recognize that children living in homes where domestic violence occurs are at greater risk of emotional, psychological, and physical harm. Since domestic violence affects children in a variety of ways, each child should be assessed on an independent basis.  If your case involves domestic violence, you are strongly encouraged to seek an assessment, counseling, or other services for your family. 

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2024 Kids Count Data Book provides research and data that found Children who witness domestic violence, like all children who have adverse childhood experiences, are more likely to have chronic school absences, lower academic performance, lower interest in school success, poorer sleep, and more emotional and behavioral challenges than their peers who do not. More resources for children and families are available on the AECF website. 

Domestic Violence Does Not Discriminate. Despite the prevailing impression, females are not necessarily more likely to be victims than males. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) reveals devastating statistics about how many people experience domestic violence and abuse. 

The Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture’s 2014 Relationships in America Survey reveals that significantly more women than men file for divorce and that women are far more likely than men to cite domestic violence and abuse as the reason. Relationships in America Survey, The Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture (2014). While this data does not prove women are the majority among vicitms, it does tend to validate that mistaken impression.