Warning signs

Warning signs that a person is being abused or abusive include:

• increasing isolation from support networks like friends, and family.
• constant and unwanted checking up on e.g. checking their phone, texting, checking their Facebook page
• telling a partner what they should wear or how they should look
• put-downs and insults
• threatening to hurt them physically or actually doing so
• threating to hurt their reputation at work, or among their social circle or actually doing so
• a change in character - increasingly unhappy or even wearing a "mask" of happiness that friends suspect isn't real
• harrassing or stalking an ex-partner
• threats against property or pets
• financial control
• making all the decisions

See the Positive Relationships quiz

See our Danger Signs page that someone may be in serious danger of being killed or harmed

If you are concerned about violence, there are people who can help:

• Women's Refuge
• National Network of Stopping Violence Services
• Shine
• The Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki
• Barnardos
• Child Matters
• SAFE Network