The Warning Signs of Abuse

Although dating abuse can happen without warning, there are both subtle and obvious signs that often serve as signals. REMEMBER! ABUSE ONLY GETS WORSE WITH TIME! Being able to recognize certain warning signs early on can help you avoid being abused:

• Bad Vibes that feel like something is wrong is a subtle sign that the relationship isn’t good for you especially if it makes you feel bad about yourself, or afraid.

• Cruelty or Physical Violence towards you, other women and animals is an obvious and dangerous sign, even if it only happens once.

• Controlling Behaviors that cause isolation from family and friends and dependence may begin with subtle forms of control (telling you what to wear, say and who to hang out with) and lead to more obvious forms (loss of contact with all old friends and activities).

• Jealousy and Possessiveness are signs of abuse and are NEVER signs of love. Abusive behavior excused by jealousy is still abuse.

Are You a Victim of Dating Violence?

If you answer yes to two or more of the following questions, you are in an abusive relationship, or you are in a relationship that is likely to become abusive.

1.    Are you frightened of your boyfriend or girlfriend’s temper?
2.    Are you afraid to disagree with him or her?
3.    Do you find yourself apologizing to yourself or others for your boyfriend 
        or girlfriend’s behavior when you are  treated badly?
4.    Have you been frightened by his or her violence towards others?
5.    Have you been hit, kicked, shoved, or had things thrown at you?
6.    Do you not see friends or family because of his or her jealousy?
7.    Have you been forced to have sex? Or been afraid to say no to sex?
8.    Are you forced to justify everything you do, every place you go, and 
        every person you see to avoid his or her temper?
9.    Have you been wrongly and repeatedly accused of flirting or having sex with others?
10. Are you unable to go out, get a job or go to school without his or her permission?
11. Have you become secretive, ashamed, or hostile to your parents because 
        of this relationship?