Whether you watch football or just follow the news, you may by now have heard that the NFL has put new policy in place to crack down on players who commit acts of domestic violence. This policy comes on the heels of a domestic violence case involving Ravens running back Ray Rice. Rice has been indefinitely suspended from the NFL after being caught on video hitting his wife in the head and then dragging her unconscious body from an elevator.

Rice’s actions remind us that domestic violence continues to take place, oftentimes even in public. However, most acts of domestic violence occur in the home, a place that should be safe, warm and nurturing. Domestic violence affects all classes, races, sexes and ages, including children. Children are often “caught in the middle” of domestic violence acts or are traumatized as witnesses to these horrific events.

Domestic violence is a serious health concern. If you are concerned about domestic violence in your current relationship, here are some questions to ask yourself. Does your partner:

• Embarrass you with put-downs?
• Look at you or act in ways that scare you?
• Control what you do, who you see or talk to, or where you go?
• Stop you from seeing your friends or family members?
• Take your money or paycheck, make you ask for money, or refuse to give you money?
• Make all of the decisions?
• Tell you that you’re a bad parent or threaten to take away or hurt your children?
• Threaten to commit suicide?
• Prevent you from working or going to school?
• Act like the abuse is no big deal or is your fault, or even deny doing it?
• Destroy your property or threaten to kill your pets?
• Intimidate you with guns, knives, or other weapons?
• Shove you, slap you, choke you, or hit you?
• Threaten to kill you?

If you answered yes to any of these questions and/or feel you may be in danger, help is available. If you are in immediate danger you should call 911. Another resource is the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233).

Once you are established in a safe environment, counseling will help in your healing process. A licensed mental health counselor will provide a warm and empathetic environment where you can share and process your feelings. And, she will work with you to better understand domestic violence so that you can not only stay safe, but create happy, healthy and rewarding future romantic relationships. Help is available. Please contact Life Enhancement Counseling Services in Orlando at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment with a mental health counselor.