An unsafe relationship can feel even more frightening when you’re pregnant. You may be worried that your partner will become angry, pressure you about the pregnancy, or prevent you from reaching out for help.
You do not have to wait for the situation to become worse before telling someone. Ventura County Pregnancy Center offers free, confidential pregnancy services and can help connect you with organizations trained to address domestic violence.
Contact us today to learn how we can help.
Abuse Does Not Always Leave a Bruise
Some abusive behaviors are physical, but others are designed to control, isolate, or frighten you.
Your partner may:
- Monitor your phone, messages, or location
- Control your money or transportation
- Keep you away from friends and family
- Threaten you, your children, or your pets
- Prevent you from attending doctor’s appointments
- Pressure you to end the pregnancy
- Force sexual contact
- Constantly criticize or humiliate you
You do not need visible injuries for this situation to be taken seriously. Feeling afraid of your partner is reason enough to seek support.
Make Safety the Priority
Leaving an abusive relationship can be dangerous, particularly if your partner realizes you are planning to go. Rather than confronting them without any support, consider making a safety plan with someone you trust.
A safety plan may include deciding where you could go, identifying people to reach out to and rely on, memorizing important phone numbers, and gathering documents, medication, keys, and other essentials.
Only store these items where your partner is unlikely to find them. If your phone or internet activity is being monitored, use a safer device when possible, such as one at a library, medical office, workplace, or loved one’s home.
Help Is Available Right Now
Call 911 if you or your baby are in immediate danger. Abuse is never your fault, and you are always deserving of help.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline also offers confidential help with safety planning and local resources. Call 800-799-7233 to be connected to 24/7 support, or you can text START to 88788.
Reach out from a device your partner cannot access whenever possible. You may also ask a trusted friend, healthcare provider, social worker, or local shelter to help you make contact safely.
One Step Still Counts
You may not be ready or able to leave today. That does not mean you are without choices.
Your first step might be telling one trusted person, saving an emergency number under another name, speaking privately with your doctor, or learning where you could go if you needed to leave quickly.
Ventura County Pregnancy Center provides free pregnancy services and connections to community resources for housing, medical care, domestic violence support, and other needs.
When it is safe for you to do so, contact us to arrange a no-cost, confidential appointment.