Warning Signs
Are you in an abusive relationship?
This self-quiz will help you recognize the early warning signs. If you answer “yes” to more than a couple of the following questions, you need to get help now!
Does your boyfriend/girlfriend…
- Want to spend every minute together?
- Quiz you about everything you do when you are apart?
- Keep you from seeing old friends?
- Make fun of you or put you down in public?
- Threaten to do something bad if you break up?
- Make you feel like you can’t end the relationship?
- Use alcohol or drugs as an excuse for being mean?
- Have an uncontrollable temper?
- Often get upset and refuse to discuss the reasons why?
- Force you to do things that you don’t feel comfortable doing?
Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
Children who are exposed to domestic violence show a change in the structure of the developing brain. They exhibit signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These children are either reactive and aggressive or quiet and shut-down. They often feel that the world is unsafe. They have difficulty expressing their feelings in healthy ways.
These children show the following characteristics:
- Fear
- Constant reminders of the trauma
- Difficulty focusing
- Demonstrate aggressive behavior
- Problems at school
- Difficulty with peers
