If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

Each day, three women are killed in America by boyfriends or husbands.  Men, children, elders and pets also become victims of domestic violence. 

California law describes domestic violence as any abuse committed against an adult or a minor who is a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or person with whom the suspect has had a child or is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship.  "Cohabitant" means two unrelated adult persons living together for a substantial period of time, resulting in some permanency of relationship.  Here are some signs of an abusive relationship that may result in domestic violence:

• Your partner exhibits extreme jealousy
• You are overly concerned about what kind of mood your partner is in
• Your partner prevents you from seeing your friends or family, or alienates them so that they are uncomfortable being around him
• Your partner threatens to hurt or kill you, your children, your family, friends or pets
• Your partner yells at you, reprimands you, or demeans you in public
• Your partner hits, slaps, pushes or shoves you, pulls your hair, or inflicts physical injury on you in any way
• Your partner prevents you from getting or keeping a job
• Your partner keeps you from leaving the house or locks you out of the house.

There's no reason to accept or tolerate this behavior from a spouse or domestic partner. If you need help, here's what you can do:

• Contact the San Diego Sheriff's Domestic Violence Unit at (858) 974-2496 between 8:00am and 5:00pm or sdso.domesticviolence@sdsheriff.org.  Call the San Diego County Domestic Violence 24-hour hotline 1-888-DVLINKS (385-4657) for emergency assistance or ongoing needs.
• Leave your home or have someone stay with you.  Go to a battered-women's shelter.  Call the North County Family Violence Prevention Center at (760) 798-2835. 
• Get medical attention from your doctor or hospital emergency room. Ask the staff to photograph your injuries and keep detailed records in case you decide to take legal action.