Warning signs of abuse

You may suspect abuse is happening to a neighbour, friend or family member, but do not know what to do or how to talk about it.

You may worry about making the situation worse, or be concerned about what action to take. By understanding the warning signs and risk factors of woman abuse, you can help.

If you recognize some of these warning signs, it may be time to take action:

He puts her down He does all the talking and dominates the conversation He checks up on her all the time, even at work He tries to suggest he is the victim and acts depressed He tries to keep her away from you He acts as if he owns her He lies to make himself look good or exaggerates his good qualities He acts superior and of more value than others in his home

She may be apologetic and makes excuses about his behaviour or becomes aggressive and angry She is nervous about talking when he’s there She seems to be sick more often and misses work She tries to cover her bruises She makes excuses at the last minute about why she can’t meet you or she tries to avoid you on the street She seems sad, lonely, withdrawn, and is afraid She uses more drugs or alcohol to cope

*Excerpt from Neighbours, Friends and Families campaign

Visit neighboursfriendsandfamilies.ca for more information on how you can take action.