How to spot signs of abuse?
Abuse in an intimate or familial relationship can affect anyone but this behaviour is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. The impact of this behaviour could destroy a victim’s self-confidence, negatively impact their mental health and well-being all whilst leaving them feel isolated and alone.
Signs that you, or someone you know, are in an abusive relationship, can include:
- Destructive criticism and verbal abuse which includes name calling, swearing at you or using derogatory slurs towards you or a loved one.
- Pressure tactics - sulking, threatening to withhold money, taking the car away or threats to remove your immigration status, citing/twisting scripture to make someone believe they are going against God.
- Denial - saying the abuse doesn't happen, saying you caused the abusive behaviour, saying their behaviour isn’t abusive because they are in same sex relationship.
- Harassment - following you, checking up on you, embarrassing you in public.
- Physical/sexual violence - hitting, punching, or kicking you. Forcing victim to engage in sexual acts, rape and removing protection (condom) without the consent of their partner.
- Threats - shouting you down, threatening to kill, harm you or call immigration on you.
- Breaking trust - lying to you, withholding information from you, breaking promises.
- Blaming their behaviour on poor childhood, ill health, alcohol, or drug addiction is an abuser's way of avoiding personal responsibility for their behaviour.