Relationship Violence Warning Signs
Warning signs taken from www.ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/rapeprevent.shtml
- Emotionally abuses you (insults, belittling comments, ignoring you, acting sulky or angry when you initiate an action or idea).
- Tells you who you may be friends with, how you should dress, or tries to control other elements of your life or relationship.
- Talks negatively about men/women in general.
- Gets jealous when there is no reason.
- Drinks heavily, uses drugs, or tries to get you drunk.
- Berates you for not wanting to get drunk, get high, have sex, or go with him/her to an isolated or personal place.
- Refuses to let you share any of the expenses of a date and gets angry when you offer to pay.
- Is physically violent to you or others, even if it's “just” grabbing and pushing to get his/her way.
- Acts in an intimidating way toward you by invading your “personal space” (sits too close, speaks as if he/she knows you much better than he/she does, touches you when you tell him/her not to).
- Is unable to handle sexual and emotional frustrations without becoming angry.
- Does not view you as an equal—because he/she is older or sees him/herself as smarter or socially superior.
- Thinks poorly of himself and guards his masculinity by acting tough.
- Goes through extreme highs and lows, is kind one minute and cruel the next.
- Is angry and threatening to the extent that you have changed your life so as not to anger him/her.
If you are experiencing any of these violence warning signs in your relationship, campus and community help is available:
- Counseling Center, 509-527-5195
- Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, 509-526-3032
- Security Office, 509-527-5777
- Health Center, 509-527-5295
- Dean of Students Office, 509-527-5158
- YWCA Domestic Abuse Hotline, 509-529-9922 (24/7)
Division of Inclusive Excellence