Overview of Domestic Violence

Abuse is never your fault. You deserve to feel safe, respected, and loved.

Need help now? You are not alone.

DVSC 24-Hour Hotline: 1-800-424-5600

Free, confidential support is available every day, at any time.

They hurt you, but promise it will never happen again.

They apologize. They say they will change. They tell you they love you.

You want to believe them. You forgive them, hoping things will be different.

But the cycle repeats. The anger returns. The abuse escalates. And somehow, you are made to feel responsible for their actions.

If this sounds familiar, please know this: You are not alone, and none of this is your fault.

Domestic violence is not always easy to recognize, and leaving an abusive relationship is rarely simple. Abuse often involves a pattern of power and control that can leave survivors feeling afraid, isolated, confused, or unsure of where to turn.

An abusive partner may blame you for their behavior, make you question your own judgment, or convince you that no one else will love you. You may worry about what your family and friends will think, fear for your children's safety, or feel trapped by financial circumstances. An abuser may deliberately isolate you from loved ones, restrict your access to money, or make it difficult to seek help.

These are not signs of a healthy relationship. They are ways abuse can take hold and make it harder to leave.

Domestic Violence Takes Many Forms

Abuse is not always physical. It can happen in any relationship, regardless of age, gender, income, or background. It may begin gradually, making it difficult to recognize until the behavior becomes more frequent or severe.

Domestic violence can include:

Physical abuse: Hitting, kicking, pushing, choking, restraining, or any other use of physical force.
Emotional and psychological abuse: Humiliation, intimidation, insults, threats, or behavior intended to undermine your confidence and sense of self-worth.
Sexual abuse: Any sexual contact or activity without freely given consent, including coercion within a relationship or marriage.
Financial abuse: Controlling your money, preventing you from working, restricting access to financial resources, or creating financial dependence.
Coercive control and isolation: Monitoring your movements, controlling who you see, limiting your independence, or keeping you separated from family and friends.
Stalking, harassment, and threats: Repeated unwanted contact, monitoring, intimidation, or threats against you, your children, loved ones, or pets.

Abuse can happen in dating relationships, marriages, former relationships, and other intimate partnerships. It can affect people of every background, and it does not have to leave physical injuries to be serious.

You do not have to wait for the abuse to become physical or more severe before reaching out for help. If your relationship leaves you feeling afraid, controlled, or unsafe, your concerns deserve to be taken seriously.

Breaking the Cycle Starts with Support

Abuse can have lasting effects on survivors, children, and families. In some cases, it can escalate to life-threatening violence. Recognizing the warning signs and connecting with support can be important steps toward safety.

There is no single reason someone stays in an abusive relationship. Fear, financial barriers, concern for children or pets, housing needs, emotional attachment, and threats from an abusive partner can all make leaving complicated. Every survivor's circumstances are different, and each deserves compassion rather than judgment.

You do not have to explain away the abuse, make the relationship work, or face these challenges alone. You deserve support, no matter where you are in your journey.

Domestic violence affects individuals and families throughout our communities, including Luzerne and Carbon Counties. Behind every experience of abuse is a person whose safety, dignity, and future matter.

No one deserves to be abused. Domestic violence is not your fault, and you are not alone.

Help Is Here When You're Ready

The Domestic Violence Service Center (DVSC) is here to listen, support, and help you explore your options. Our services are free and confidential. You do not need to know what to do next, have a plan to leave, or be ready to make a major change to reach out.

Whether you need someone to talk to, help understanding your options, safety planning, or a safe place to turn, you deserve to be heard without judgment.

You deserve a life free from fear and abuse. Help is available, and hope is possible.

Reach Out to DVSC

Call our 24-hour hotline: 1-800-424-5600

A trained advocate is available around the clock to provide support, information, and help exploring your options. You do not have to share your name to call, and there is no cost for our services.

You do not have to navigate this alone. When you are ready, we are here for you.

You Are Not Alone. We Are Here to Help.