In a word, YES. He will be arrested, and will be in jail at least over night. Now, I know what you are thinking... you do not want him to go to jail. I am quite certain that you truly believe in your heart that it was your fault... he did not mean to... it was not that bad... he will not do it again... he is sorry for what he did... I have heard them all. Trust me - right now, jail is where he needs to be. They will not hurt him, and if they do not arrest him, he is going to hurt you. That fact is inevitable.

As a human being, you have the following rights:

All battered persons...

• Have a right not to be abused
• Have a right to feel angry over past beatings
• Have a right to choose to change the situation
• Have a right to freedom from fear of abuse
• Have a right to request and to expect assistance from Police and social service agencies
• Have a right to share their feelings and not be isolated from others
• Have a right to want a better role model of communication for their children
• Have a right to be treated as an adult
• have a right to leave the battering environment
• Have a right to privacy
• Have a right to express their own thoughts and feelings
• Have a right to develop their individual talents and abilities
• Have a right to legally prosecute the abusing partner
• Have a right not to be perfect
• Have a right to joy

That otherwise wonderful person, who just rendered you bruised and/or bloody, has violated your above mentioned rights.

Yes, he will go to jail. No, it is not up to you. And most important, unless he does, it is NOT GOING TO STOP! If you do not make him accountable for what he has done, he is going to do it again and again, and next time it will be much worse. Eventually he will kill you.