Warning signs of an abusing relationship

• quick involvement

pushing for a “too fast” involvement, expressing shock and anger at past abuse,  or using flattery and gifts to develop relationship

• extreme jealousy

always wanting to know where you were, or
who you were with
displaying extreme/unreasonable anger at outside relationships

• isolation from friends and family

preventing involvement with family members
not allowing involvement in outside activities, such as church or clubs
always accompanying you wherever you go

• controlling behavior

telling you what you can or cannot do
making decisions about what you wear, where you go

• blames others for causing abuse

you pushed their buttons
they had a bad day at the office
you are always late

• uses children to control victim

denying children access to necessities or privileges
threatening to take custody of children if you leave relationship

• cruelty to animals or children

statistics show that in their youth many serial killers abused animals      
domestic violence is the #1 predictor of child abuse

• threats of violence

threatening to harm you, the children, other family members, or themselves

• name calling

you’re fat; you’re ugly; you’re stupid

• breaking or striking objects

destroying a gift given to you by a special relative
putting their fist through the wall

• abandoning you in strange places

leaving you barefoot in the middle of the night at a gas station
shoving you out of a moving car when you are seven months pregnant

• pushing, pinching, slapping, kicking, strangling, or striking you

. . . tell someone