Warning Signs

Overall, domestic violence is about physical and psychological control. There are things that are done to you that may be red flags. These red flags can help you decide whether you are in a dangerous or potentially dangerous relationship. Look at the following list and note the ones that apply to you:

  • Does your partner accept no blame for his failures at work or with money?
  • Does your partner accuse you of seeing someone else?
  • Does your partner act jealous in front of your friends, family or co-workers?
  • Does your partner blame you for his problems, his moods or abusive behavior?
  • Does your partner insult you or call you profanities?
  • Does your partner check up on you by calling, driving by, or getting someone else to check?
  • Does your partner deny hurting you or make light of hurting you?
  • Does your partner force you to have sex in ways you don’t want?
  • Does your partner force you to have sex to “make up” after a fight or after he has hurt you?
  • Does your partner force you to have sex when you don’t want to?
  • Does your partner get angry about your clothes or how you wear your hair?
  • Does your partner get mad so easily that you feel like you are walking on eggshells?
  • Does your partner have access to firearms or other weapons?
  • Does your partner have a history of violence that has worsened over time?
  • Does your partner hit walls, drive dangerously, or do other things to scare you?
  • Does your partner insist on knowing with whom you talk to on the phone?
  • Does your partner insist that you drink or do drugs with him?
  • Does your partner keep money from you, keep you in debt or have “money secrets?”
  • Does your partner make important family decisions without you because he’s the “man?”
  • Does your partner often drink?
  • Does your partner often use drugs?
  • Does your partner read your mail or go through your purse or other personal things?
  • Does your partner tease you in hurtful ways in public or private?
  • Does your partner threaten to hurt you, your children, your pets, or other family members?
  • Has your partner ever put his hands on/around your throat?
  • Has your partner ever violated an injunction for protection?
  • Has your partner gone places with you just to “keep an eye on you?”
  • Has your partner kept you from getting a job or caused you to lose your job?
  • Has your partner sold your car, made you give up your license, or not repaired your car?
  • Has your partner threatened to kill you or commit suicide if you ever leave him?
  • Have you lost friends or do you no longer see some of your family because of your partner?
  • Is your partner like a “Jekyll and Hyde,” acting one way in front of people and another way when it’s just the two of you?

If you recognize any of these red flags, call the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-500-1119.