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Many people do not realize they are in an abusive relationship because they have not yet been physically hurt.
These are the most common warning signs associated with all types of abusive relationships:
- Is your partner insulting you, putting you down or blaming you for everything that happens?
- Is your partner telling you that you are not worthy or “not good enough” to be loved?
- Is your partner excessively jealous and/or overly possessive?
- Is your partner prone to an explosive or “bad temper?”
- Is your partner keeping you from having your own friends or seeing your family?
- Is your partner keeping you from having your own opinions or not allowing you to speak freely?
- Is your partner keeping you from carrying or spending money, controlling how much you spend or making financial decisions without your input?
- Is your partner threatening you in any way which makes you feel afraid?
- Is your partner someone who destroys things or possessions when angry?
- Is your partner pushing, slapping, hitting, kicking, biting or grabbing you at the neck or pulling your hair?
- Is your partner forcing you to have sex when you don’t want to?
- Is your partner threatening to hurt or kill you, your children, pets or members of your family?
ANY of the following incidents are signs of increased danger:
- Abuse is happening more often.
- Partner’s controlling behavior becomes more obvious to others.
- Stalking, electronic tracking and checking phone for calls and texts.
- Physical contact or “sex-play” gets rougher.
- Partner tries to strangle you, puts hands around your neck or applies pressure to your neck.
- Partner has access to a gun.
- Partner abuses drugs or alcohol. Increased danger if partner gets drunk or high daily or almost daily.
- Partner threatens to kill self or others.
- You become pregnant and your partner becomes increasingly jealous or controlling.
- Partner is increasingly jealous, suspicious or possessive.
- Partner hurts or kills pets.
- Partner feels as though they are losing control over you.
- Someone outside of your home becomes aware of the abuse.