Know what to look for.
When a relationship is new, it’s not always easy to tell if it will later become abusive. In fact, many abusive relationships appear healthy at first. The warning signs of abuse don’t always appear overnight and often start to show up and intensify as the relationship grows.
There are some warning signs that will give you a clue that the relationship might become abusive. The more warning signs a person sees in their relationship, the more likely it is that it could become dangerous.
Warning Signs
- If your partner does any of the following, you may be seeing warning signs of an abusive relationship.
- Tells you that you never do anything right.
- Shows extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from them.
- Prevents or discourages you from spending time with others, particularly friends, family members, or peers.
- Insults, demeans, or shames you, especially in front of other people.
- Prevents you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school.
- Controls finances in the household without discussion, such as taking your money or refusing to provide money for necessary expenses.
- Pressures you to have sex or perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with.
- Pressures you to use drugs or alcohol.
- Intimidates you through threatening looks or actions.
- Insults your parenting or threatening to harm or take away your children or pets.
- Intimidates you with weapons like guns, knives, bats, or mace.
- Destroys your belongings or your home.
- You feel nervous or scared when your partner is upset.
Remember, it is not Your Fault
If you are seeing warning signs in your relationship, it is not your fault, and DVSSP is here to help with a variety of services. All services are free and completely confidential.
*The warning signs list is from the National Domestic Violence Hotline website.
