Warning Signs of Abuse
You cannot distinguish batterers from the way they look. They can be be rich, poor, handsome, charismatic, educated, uneducated. They can be from any race, religion, culture or sexual orientation.
Physical battering will begin after power and control used through intimidation, coercion, threats, isolation, minimizing, denying and blaming, economic abuse, and gender privilege stops working as a means of control.
Batterers usually base their relationships on ones from their past experiences.
In many cases, this may mean their parents had an abusive relationship and batterers adopted that behavior. With proper accountability groups and taking responsibility for their actions, batterers can learn to live a violence-free lifestyle.
Common warning signs are:
- Jealousy
- Controlling Behavior
- Quick Involvement
- Unrealistic Expectations of partner
- Isolation
- Blaming
- Getting Angry at any little thing
- Cruelty to Children and Animals
- Verbal Abuse
- Sexual Abuse or Coercion
- Rigid Gender Roles
- Extreme Mood Swings
- Destroying Partner's Property
- Threats