Domestic Violence Is More Than Physical Abuse

Domestic violence can take on many forms. It can be physical abuse, but it can also be verbal, emotional, sexual, psychological or financial abuse. Whether you call it domestic violence, intimate partner abuse or teen dating violence, the bottom line is this type of relationship is abusive.

Be Smart. Be Well. explores the often silent world of Domestic Violence through the eyes of victims, loved ones and subject matter experts.

On this site, you will find:

• Personal Stories: Find out what happened to Kari, Carolyn and Bessie, who have each experienced an abusive relationship. Watch as their tearful stories are shared. See how domestic violence affected them and their families.
• The Facts: Did you know that three women die as a result of an abusive relationship each day? And in the United States alone, one in 14 men is a victim of domestic violence.
• Warning Signs: What should you look for? Find out how to escape an abusive relationship and how to help someone who might be in danger.
• Help and Guidance: Who can you tell? You’ll find links and information about organizations, such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline, created to advise and help those facing abusive situations.

Everyone deserves a healthy, violence- and abuse-free relationship. Visit Be Smart. Be Well. today to learn more.

About Be Smart. Be Well.
Be Smart. Be Well. is a free resource available to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) members as well as the general public. The goal of the site is simple: to help all of us stay healthier and safer through increased awareness and simple-to-use knowledge. Additional topics posted at Be Smart. Be Well. include: traumatic brain injury (TBI), caregiving, drug safety and mental health.