Early Warning Signs of Abuse
Note: the following list is applicable to men or women abusers, however, not everything
will apply to female abusers. Healthy men and women can have a few of these signs in
moderation, having a few of these traits does not mean someone is an abuser. An abuser
will exhibit more than half to all of these signs.
The abuser:
- speaks disrespectfully about former partners
- is disrespectful toward you
- does favors for you that you don't want or puts on such a show of generosity that it
makes you uncomfortable
- is controlling
- is possessive
- nothing is his or her fault
- is self centered
- abuses drugs or alcohol
- pressures you for sex
- gets serious to quickly about the relationship
- intimidates you when he or she is angry
- has double standards
- has negative attitudes toward the opposite sex
- treats you differently around other people
- appears to be attracted to vulnerability
will apply to female abusers. Healthy men and women can have a few of these signs in
moderation, having a few of these traits does not mean someone is an abuser. An abuser
will exhibit more than half to all of these signs.
The abuser:
- speaks disrespectfully about former partners
- is disrespectful toward you
- does favors for you that you don't want or puts on such a show of generosity that it
makes you uncomfortable
- is controlling
- is possessive
- nothing is his or her fault
- is self centered
- abuses drugs or alcohol
- pressures you for sex
- gets serious to quickly about the relationship
- intimidates you when he or she is angry
- has double standards
- has negative attitudes toward the opposite sex
- treats you differently around other people
- appears to be attracted to vulnerability