Signs of an abusive relationship
Signs of an abusive relationship are not always easy to see. It is not always easy to identify if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, or is in an abusive relationship. Violence and abuse are experienced in many different ways. Violence and abuse can include emotional abuse, sexual abuse and financial abuse.
Read more about the different types of abuse.
Jealousy, possessiveness, put downs, threats and violence
Below are signs of an abusive relationship. These behaviours are typical of the jealousy, possessiveness, put downs, threats and violence that occur in domestic violence and abusive relationships. A woman may be experiencing abuse if a man in her life:
- unfairly and regularly accuses her of flirting or being unfaithful
- controls how she spends money
- decides what she wears or eats
- humiliates her in front of other people
- monitors what she is doing, including reading her emails and text messages
- discourages or prevents her from seeing friends and family
- threatens to hurt her, the children or pets
- physically assaults her (hitting, biting, slapping, kicking, pushing)
- yells at her
- threatens to use a weapon against her
- constantly compares her with other people
- constantly criticises her intelligence, mental health and appearance
- prevents her from practicing her religion.
What to do if you are in an abusive relationship
If you are in an abusive relationship, please call us at DVConnect. We can help you with a Safety Plan to prepare you to leave. We help you with emergency transport, emergency accommodation and crisis counselling.
Call Womensline 1800 811 811, anytime 24/7.
Call Mensline 1800 600 636, between 9am – midnight, 7 days.
How to support someone you know
Here are some ways you can support someone you know who has told you they are experiencing or have experienced violence:
- believe the person
- make sure they understand it is not their fault
- listen without judging
- be supportive, encouraging, open and honest
- ask if they need help from DVConnect and discuss their options
- offer to go with the person if they meet with a support service
- keep in touch with the person to see how they are going.
Source: www.whiteribbon.com.au