Signs of an Abusive Relationship

If you see your partner engaging in any of the behaviours or activities listed below, you may be at risk for abuse:

  • Drives fast or does other scary things
  • Accuses you of lying
  • Demands to know where you are at all times
  • Constantly becomes jealous, angry, or tries to isolate you when you want to spend time with your friends or family
  • Cannot laugh at themselves
  • Finds it hard to apologize or take responsibility when they’ve done something wrong
  • Makes fun of other people and enjoys humour that embarrasses others including yourself
  • Speaks badly about other people in your life so that you won’t associate with them anymore
  • Has a bad temper
  • Constantly finds fault in you or in others
  • Always has to win, and is generally over-competitive with your time and attention
  • Refuses to discuss their feelings and then blows up when you push the subject
  • Disapproves or tries to control how you spend your money or how you dress
  • Acts as if they know everything but are actually very insecure
  • Threatens to harm you or themselves if you leave the relationship; may threaten suicide
  • Twists the truth to make you feel you are to blame for their actions
  • Uses phrases like “if you really loved me you would…”
  • Calls you names that are offensive or derogatory
  • Humiliates or embarrasses you in front of other people
  • Threatens you with physical violence, abandonment, or harm to others you love
  • Threatens to harm themselves if you don’t comply with their wishes
  • Blames you for their actions or mistakes
  • Degrades your sexuality / sexual orientation
  • Threatens to infect you with an illness, such as a sexually transmitted disease
  • Withholds medication, or threatens to withhold medication
  • Pressures you into having sexual contact you do not want
  • Becomes violent or controlling when she/he is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Is violent towards other people or animals
  • Steals money from you, or does not allow you access to your own money
  • Attempts to forbid you from working or making money

 

Answering yes to any number of these questions may indicate that you are in an abusive relationship. Get help now.