Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Spot the Signs | Latest News

  1. Contrast:

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

We have placed cookies on your computer to help make this website better. You can at any time read our cookie policy. Otherwise, we will assume that you are OK to continue.

Please choose a setting: