Red Flags of Abuse
If you are in a relationship or are starting a new one, it is important to be aware of the types of behaviours that are commonly observed in abusive people.
If the person you are dating shows some of these traits, it is important that you proceed with caution:
Moves too fast in a new relationship
Jealousy - wants you all to himself
Hypersensitivity
Blaming of others - sees himself as a victim
Resentfulness
Doesn’t respect boundaries
Entitlement - deserving of special treatment
Controlling - often disguised as concern for your safety
Deception and lying
Tries to restrict your exercise of very ordinary adult rights or freedoms
Believes he is or acts superior to others
Isolates you from family and friends
Uses force during arguments
Accuses you of being unfaithful
Sabotages your efforts to use birth control
Cruel or disrespectful to other people or animals
Has a history of abuse (which he denies)
Disregards your boundaries around sex
Convinces you that you are to blame for relationship problems
Convinces you that your memory is faulty
Research shows that people who have been in abusive relationships in the past (even as children) are more likely to find themselves in one again. These people should exercise special care when entering new relationships.
Learn more about abusive relationships with rAInbow.