Warning signs

 

We can all do things that make our partners unhappy from time to time. Every one of us can have arguments in relationships and behave in ways that we regret. But if this happens on a regular basis, it can be a sign of domestic abuse.

If you recognise one or more of the following behaviours by your partner, this indicates that you could be experiencing domestic abuse.

  • They have tried to stop you seeing your family or friends
  • Your partner often checks up on where you are, or follows you
  • They accuse you of flirting or cheating, without reason
  • Your partner often puts you down, criticises or insults you
  • They make you feel afraid
  • Your partner has forced you to do something you really didn’t want to do
  • They have hurt you or your children
  • Your partner has withheld money from you or put you in debt
  • They have tried to stop you taking your medicine, or seeing a doctor
  • Your partner has threatened to take away your children if you leave
  • They have forced or pressured you to have sex with them or other people
  • Your partner has made you take part in sexual activity that you weren’t comfortable with
  • They force you to take drugs or alcohol
  • Your partner blames their behaviour on drugs, alcohol, depression or their childhood

 

Signs for friends

Sometimes our closest friends can be suffering in silence. If you spot any of these signs, your friend may be experiencing domestic abuse in their relationship.

Control

Does your friend’s partner call and text them all the time? Does it ever seem like they’re checking up on your friend?

Isolation

Have you noticed you get to see your friend less and less, and that they’re also seeing less of their other friends and family? Maybe they seem to make excuses about why they can’t meet up, or you get the sense that your friend’s partner is taking over their life.

Manipulation

Does it ever seem like your friend won’t make a decision without checking with their partner first? Do they ever seem worried about their partner’s reaction?

Pressure

Have you noticed that your friend is behaving out of character – e.g. dressing, acting, or speaking differently? Do you think they may ever feel pressured by their partner to look or behave in a certain way?

Jealousy

Does your friend change their behaviour to avoid accusations of cheating from their partner? Does it seem like their partner is often jealous for little reason?

Fear

Have you noticed your friend treading on eggshells to avoid rowing with their partner? Have you ever got the sense that your friend is a bit afraid of them?

Get Help

Help for Men

Find out more about support for men

Help for Women

If you are a woman experiencing domestic abuse and need help, find out more

Help for Children

If you are a child or young person experiencing domestic abuse find out more

Worried about your friend’s relationship?

Trust your instincts. Find out more about how to help

Is it Abuse?

Learn more about Domestic Abuse

How you can help

No matter how much time, money or resources you can afford to give, your support will make a difference. 

£10

Give monthly

Could pay for four children
to take part in our early intervention projects

£30

Give once

Could pay for one primary school child to receive our healthy relationship education program

Support equation

Check out the other ways you can support us

 

 

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