Warning Signs of a Potential Abuser

Although no one can fully predict whether or not a relationship will turn out to be abusive, some warning signs do exist. If a man displays any of the following characteristics, women need to be cautious.

• Prior violence or battery. This is probably the most important risk factor to battering; without some form or intervention, the battering is likely to continue.
• Violent abuse by parents. Studies consistently show that batterers are more than likely to have been abused as children; in other words, men who witnessed their fathers hitting their mothers are more likely to batter as adults.
• Alcohol/Drug abuse. About 80 percent of domestic abuse incidents involve substance abuse.
• Cruelty to animals. Anyone who beats animals should be considered a potential abuser.
• Wanting control over financial matters. This is indicative of the controlling personality common in batterers.
• Holding rigid traditional views towards women. For example, he believes the woman should clean, take care of the kids, etc.
• Showing extreme jealousy or possessiveness. This often leads to isolation of the victim from friends and family.
• Physical abuse during courtship.
• Denying the abuse, minimizing the seriousness of abuse, or refusing to take responsibility for abusive behavior