I Saw The Signs!

Domestic Violence is a real issue and happens in 1 every 4 women, and 1 in every 7 men (yes, it happens to men too!). It can happen to anyone of any age, gender, race, social and economy level. As it normally happens behind closed doors, it is hard to know for sure if your friends or family is in an abusive relationship. We can all try to make it better by being more aware of what our family/friends are going through.

Here are a few signs you could keep an eye out on:

Physical signs

1. Have frequent bruises or injuries with odd excuses

2. Frequently canceling meeting plans, or withdrawing from social gathering (to conceal new bruises).

3. Wearing long sleeves when it is hot, wearing sunglasses indoor (to cover their bruises).

Emotional signs

1. Low self esteem, especially from someone who used to be confident.

2. Overall change in behavior/manner, usually to withdrawing more from social settings.

3. Overly worried about making their partner upset

4. Constantly checking in with their partner/getting calls or texts from their partner

Control or Isolation signs

1. Always letting their partner make decisions

2. Rarely have the chance to meet family or friends

3. Never having any money on hand

4. Difficult to reach, only talking about superficial things, and keeping conversations short.

What should we do when we see these signs from someone?

1. Reach out, ask how they are doing privately. Their phone activities could be monitored so try to meet in person.

2. If they open up to you, listen to them, and assure them they deserve to be treated with respect. Advice might not be needed but you can offer some resources like thehotline.org. Most importantly, they know you care and are there for them.

3. If they open up to you, set up a secret code, so you know when they say the secret code, they are not okay/in danger.

4. If you know or even see that they are in danger you CAN and SHOULD call the police and/or get other people’s attention to help you intervene. Don’t forget to care for your safety too!

5. Help them set up an escape plan. DM me if you want to know further about this.

6. If you follow each other on social media, post/share infos about Domestic Violence, in the hope that they will see it and know that what they are going through is not okay, and can be changed.