Common Signs of Abuse

It can be very difficult to acknowledge that you yourself, or someone you are close to, is experiencing relationship or family violence .

Abusers go to great lengths to control their victim, their interactions, and everyday life. Common indicators of abuse include:

• Name calling or demeaning comments
• Someone that seems too good to be true early in a relationship; the relationship may advance very quickly
• Frequent phone calls or texts
• Threatens to harm or kill you, your pet(s) or family members
• Blames you for the abusive behavior; does not take responsibility for actions
• Prevents you from spending time with family or friends and from enjoying hobbies and other activities
• Damages your credit by exceeding limits, purposely not paying bills, etc; may restrict your access to financial resources

Identifying abuse toward others

Knowing if someone you care about is in an abusive situation can be very difficult. But, there are some common warning signs:

• Their partner puts them down in front of other people
• They are constantly worried about making their partner angry
• They make excuses for their partner’s behavior
• Their partner is extremely jealous or possessive
• They have unexplained marks or injuries
• They’ve stopped spending time with friends and family
• They are depressed or anxious, or you notice changes in their personality

Abusers are skilled at using power and control over their victims, which can make leaving the situation difficult and dangerous. One of the best ways to help someone in abusive situation is to listen to them and support them. Try to help the person you care about feel empowered. Leave the decision making up to them. Help them understand that they are not responsible for, nor do they deserve the abuse. Encourage them to seek the help of an advocate at their local domestic violence program.