From a website supporting women....
How can I recognise abuse?
You might be unsure if what your friend or relative is experiencing is abuse. Maybe you just have some sense that something is wrong in her relationship. Sometimes there may be signs that indicate that there is abuse. But often there will be nothing obvious. Signs that someone is being abused
She seems afraid of her partner or is always very anxious to please him or her.
She has stopped seeing her friends or family, or cuts phone conversations short when her partner is in the room.
Her partner often criticises her or humiliates her in front of other people.
She says her partner pressures or forces her to do sexual things.
Her partner often orders her about or makes all the decisions (for example, her partner controls all the money, tells her who she can see and what she can do).
She often talks about her partners jealousy, bad temper or possessiveness.
She has become anxious or depressed, has lost her confidence, or is unusually quiet.
She has physical injuries (bruises, broken bones, sprains, cuts etc). She may give unlikely explanations for physical injuries.
Her children seem afraid of her partner, have behaviour problems, or are very withdrawn or anxious.
She is reluctant to leave her children with her partner.
After she has left the relationship, her partner is constantly calling her, harassing her, following her, coming to her house or waiting outside.
