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Warning Signs of an Abusive Relationship

Listed below are some common warning signs that a person is or may turn out to be abusive to his or her intimate partner. Answering Yes to a question does not mean a person is abusive. However, if any of the questions below are true about you or your partner, you should be cautious about continuing the relationship.

Warning Signs True of Me True of My Partner
Abused by parent    
Grew up in home where parent was abused by the other parent    
Feel you can "fix" your partner    
Comes on very strong, is extremely charming, quick involvement    
Is extremely jealous and possessive    
Isolates partner -won't let partner see friends, family or have outside activities or makes them feel guilty about it    
Blames victim for their abusive behavior    
Abuses drugs or alcohol    
Has unrealistic expectations, like expecting partner to meet all of one's needs    
Is overly sensitive-acts hurt when not getting one's way, takes offense when others disagree with an opinion    
Has ever been cruel to children or animals    
Holds partner against their will to keep them from walking away or leaving    
Has ever hit a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past    
Has ever threatened violence, even if it wasn't a "serious" threat    
Calls partner names, puts him/her down or curses at him/her    
Is extremely moody, and switches quickly from being very nice to exploding in anger. "Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde"    
If a male, believes women are inferior to men and should obey them    
Is intimidating, for example: threatening body language, punching walls or breaking objects    
Changed