Domestic Violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior that establishes power and control over another person. Behaviors that frighten, intimidate, threaten and/or use physical violence are a few indicators of domestic violence. While often associated with physical abuse, domestic violence also includes verbal, psychological, financial, sexual, economic, and spiritual abuse.

Signs of Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence Include:

• Physical Abuse: hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair pulling, denying a partner medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drug use, use of force to trap a partner in their home or kick them out, use of a weapon to threaten or hurt their partner, or use of physical force in sexual situations.

• Sexual Abuse: coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent, marital rape, attacks on sexual parts of the body, forcing sex after physical violence has occurred, or treating one in a sexually demeaning manner.

• Emotional Abuse: undermining an individual’s sense of self-worth and/or self-esteem, constant criticism, diminishing one’s abilities, name-calling, or damaging one’s relationship with a partner’s children.

• Economic Abuse: making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding one’s access to money, or forbidding one’s attendance at school or employment.

• Psychological Abuse: causing fear by intimidation, threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner’s family or friends, destruction of pets and property, or forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and/or work.

• Technology-Assisted Abuse: use of cellphones, computers, social networks and other electronic tools to stalk, bully, intimidate, frighten, harass or otherwise harm someone.
  • Cyberstalking: a pattern of threatening behavior or unwanted advances directed at another using the Internet and other forms of online and computer communications.
  • Cyberbullying: willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or class. Minors, including teens and youth experience the same types of abuse in relationships as adults. If you or someone you know have suffered domestic violence, remember— you are not alone.

Recovery from domestic violence is absolutely possible and attainable. There are 31 organizations in New Mexico that provide domestic violence services at some level. These programs can be found in 23 different communities across the state.

Find immediate support for those affected by or causing domestic violence at Treatment Connection: https://www.treatmentconnection.com/. This site enables those seeking mental health and SUD treatment for themselves or their loved ones to find local, state-vetted treatment providers. Treatment Connection is a service of the New Mexico Department of Human Services Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD), and is a quick and efficient way to connect domestic violence survivors to help.

For youth in New Mexico, help is available through ReachNM, the CYFD Youth Textline for Suspected Abuse and Neglect. ReachNM makes specially trained personnel available to answer questions from youth and connect them with the support they need 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via text. If you have questions regarding abuse or need help, text 505-591-9444.