Domestic violence is one of society's most serious problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Justice, "One in four women has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime." Abuse can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of social class, race, age or gender. Abuse is also far more prevalent than you might realize. According to the results from the Allstate Foundation's National Poll on Domestic Violence in 2006, an estimated 75 percent of Americans know someone who is presently a victim of abuse or has suffered abuse in the past.
Fear
A common feature among abuse victims is a pervading sense of fear. According to helpguide.org, if a woman fears her partner, avoids certain issues to keep from provoking her partner's temper or worries constantly that nothing she does is good enough, she is likely being abused. Furthermore, an abuser will exploit his victim's fear to gain power over her. He will bully, humiliate, threaten and intimidate his partner into giving in to him. If you observe this type of behavior between your loved one and her partner, her relationship is not merely unhealthy; it is dangerous.
Isolation
In order to maintain a sense of control, an abusive partner will try to isolate her victim as much as possible. She does not want him to feel like he has a network of support because she wants to keep him as dependent on her as possible. In order to accomplish this, she may try to force him to cut off contact with his family members and friends. She might even go as far as insisting he quit school or give up a job. If you notice that someone you love is reluctant to go anywhere or do anything without first getting permission from his partner, this could be another sign that he is involved in an unsafe relationship.
Violence
The most obvious signs of abuse are things such as bruises, cuts and broken bones, but it might be difficult at first to recognize them for what they are. Victims often feel compelled to lie on behalf of their abusers, either out of shame or fear of the consequences. Frequent injuries your loved one tries to explain away as "accidents" are strong indications of abuse. Similarly, if your friend or family member wears clothes that seem out of place for the season or the occasion, such as sunglasses indoors or long-sleeved shirts and pants during the summertime, it is possible she is attempting to hide evidence of battering. If you observe one or more of these signs in a loved one's relationship, you need to get her help. Abusive relationships do not improve with time. In fact, they frequently get worse. According to dvrc-or.org, "On average, more than three women and one man are murdered by their intimate partners in this country every day." By intervening, you won't just be helping her break up with a bad boyfriend; you could be saving her life.
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