Warning Signs
Below are some early warning signs to help identify whether someone is a victim of domestic violence.
• The most obvious signs of domestic violence will be repeated bruises, broken bones, physical attacks, or threats with weapons.
• Batterers often discourage their victims from seeking help. People who have difficulty making or keeping appointments may be trying to avoid letting their abusers know that they are seeking help.
• Batterers frequently insist on accompanying victims to appointments, even if they have no involvement in the case. During office visits or phone calls, a batterer may try to speak for the victim, in order to control the information the victim shares with you.
• Batterers harass, stalk, and keep tabs on their victims. If someone reports constant phone calls at work or home to keep track of their whereabouts, consider whether other warning signs of domestic violence are present.
• Batterers try to isolate their victims from emotional support systems or sources of help. Be sensitive to persons who report that their partners do not allow them to see relatives, friends, or neighbors. Also, be alert for persons who tell you that their partners are excessively jealous of persons they see outside of the home.
• Batterers also isolate their victims by sabotaging their ability to get and keep changing or losing jobs or "cannot" work because of their partners' disapproval or actions may be suffering from domestic violence.
• The most obvious signs of domestic violence will be repeated bruises, broken bones, physical attacks, or threats with weapons.
• Batterers often discourage their victims from seeking help. People who have difficulty making or keeping appointments may be trying to avoid letting their abusers know that they are seeking help.
• Batterers frequently insist on accompanying victims to appointments, even if they have no involvement in the case. During office visits or phone calls, a batterer may try to speak for the victim, in order to control the information the victim shares with you.
• Batterers harass, stalk, and keep tabs on their victims. If someone reports constant phone calls at work or home to keep track of their whereabouts, consider whether other warning signs of domestic violence are present.
• Batterers try to isolate their victims from emotional support systems or sources of help. Be sensitive to persons who report that their partners do not allow them to see relatives, friends, or neighbors. Also, be alert for persons who tell you that their partners are excessively jealous of persons they see outside of the home.
• Batterers also isolate their victims by sabotaging their ability to get and keep changing or losing jobs or "cannot" work because of their partners' disapproval or actions may be suffering from domestic violence.
