How you can help others
In a respectful partnership, arguments or disagreements will occur, but both partners feel free to state their opinions, make their own decisions and feel safe to say no to sex.
In an abusive relationship, one partner controls the other through physical harm, criticisms, demands, threats, or sexual pressure.
The following are some signs that might alert you that someone you know may be affected by domestic and family violence:
- You notice changes in their behaviour, or the behaviour of their children.
- They appear frightened or anxious.
- They seem afraid or nervous around their partner, or need to constantly ‘keep the peace’.
- They may have unlikely injuries or bruises or is often ‘not well’ or having ‘silly accidents’.
- They may miss work or cancel arrangements with short notice or vague excuses.
- Their partner controls all aspects of their life: – finances, friends, work and social life.
- Their partner may also be overly possessive or jealous.
- Their children seem fearful or on edge in their abusers company or at the mention of their name.
It can be hard to know what to do for the best, and often people are reticent to bring up what is often thought to be a very ‘private, family or intimate’ matter.
