Should I Stay or Should I Go? Part IV
How to recognize unhealthy relationships and get out
By Karin S. Ryan, Psy.D. & Heather B. Trangsrud, Ph.D.
Why it's Hard to Leave...
- Abuse may slowly escalate so may not recognize it as abuse at first.
- Intimidation or threats (e.g., will hurt family).
- Lack of social support.
- Lack of finances or employment.
- Lack of housing.
- Guilt and shame.
- Mistrust of system.
- Fear.
- Stalking or increased abuse.
Preparing to Leave...
Get professional support.
- Counseling Services
- Women's Center
- SafeZone ally
Get support from trusted co-workers, family, or friends.
Develop a safety plan.
Document the abuse
- Copies of abusive emails/texts
- Save harassing voicemails
- Take pictures of bruises/marks
- Written statements from witnesses
- Report abuse to the police and press charges
How to Get Out
Go to a shelter or emergency room.
- Manhattan Emergency Shelter – 537-3113
- Women's Crisis Shelter – 539-2785
KS Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence
- 1-888-END-ABUSE
- http://www.kcsdv.org/
Crisis Center, Inc.
- Manhattan – 539-2785
- Junction City – 762-8835
- http://thecrisiscenterinc.org/
© All staff articles are used by permission of the respective author(s). Copyright belongs to the University Life Café. No part of this may be used without authorization.
How to recognize unhealthy relationships and get out PART IV (pdf)
