Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Spot the Signs
Are you concerned about someone you know and worry that they may be suffering from some kind of domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse comes in a variety of forms and so it therefore follows that the outward signs may differ from case-to-case and from person-to-person.
Spot the Signs
Everyone is different so this is by no means a comprehensive list of signs you may spot, but it may help as a starting point
Physical Abuse
- Visible injuries
- Disguising injuries under make up or clothing
- Defending the perpetrator’s aggressive behaviour and making excuses for them
- Regular sickness absence from work
Financial Abuse
- No access to cash or other means of paying for things
- Debt for no clear reason
- Receiving a small allowance to pay for essential items
- Lifestyle inconsistent with income
- Prohibited or restricted from obtaining paid work
Emotional Abuse
- Anxiety, nervousness and low self-esteem
- Repeatedly cancelling plans or avoiding inviting you to their home
- When with you - they are having to call home to prove where they are, are constantly checking their phone and perhaps get picked up from events early
- Partner shows up uninvited
- Unable to make decisions by themselves
- Becoming detached from friends and family
- Overprotective of children or pets for fear of losing access to them
Sexual Abuse
- Avoiding physical contact
- Struggling to form and keep physical relationships
- Concerning changes in sexual behaviour such as prostitution or contracting an STI
- Changing their appearance or style of dress
- Sharing of explicit images by perpetrator
If you SUSPECT someone is being abused...
- Choose a time and place where you can have a private conversation.
- Be careful about communication - a voice message, text or email could put someone in danger.
- Offer your support without any blame or judgement.
- Never confront an abuser. Not only could this prove unsafe for you, it could also place your friend in more danger.
- Listen: let your friend talk about what’s going on and be a good listener