Signs of an Abusive Relationship

50 Questions to See if You Are Being Abused

What are the signs of an abusive relationship? What are the warning signs of domestic abuse and domestic violence? Am I being abused? Is this abuse?

To the average person, asking yourself "am I being abused?" or not knowing if you are being abused seems strange, but many people who are in abusive relationships have been experiencing some sort of abuse since early childhood. If you’ve been exposed to abusive behavior for years, you can become accustomed to it. It’s your “normal” in life. So living with an abuser seems perfectly acceptable.

That’s why many victims are shocked when they finally realize they are being abused. Below are some questions for you to answer. The more you answer “yes” to these signs of an abusive relationship, the higher the possibility that you are in an abusive relationship.

50 Questions to Ask Yourself

Does your partner have a bad temper?
Do you live in fear of your partner?
Does it feel like you have to walk on “egg shells” at times so he/she will not explode?
Has your partner threatened to harm you, the children, pets, or anything else?
Is your partner violent toward you or the children?
Has your partner ever threatened to kill you?
Has your partner ever physically hurt you?
Has your partner ever made a gesture of harm toward you? For example: put hands around your neck, or imitated holding a knife or gun?
Do you fear going home?
Is your partner unpredictable?
Has your partner threatened to take your children away (especially if you have tried to leave the relationship)?
Has your partner tried convincing you that he or she will report you, or prove that you are an unfit parent, and take the kids away permanently if you leave?
Is your partner cruel to animals?
Do they destroy your property or your children’s?
Has your partner destroyed household or work-related property?
Has your partner ever threatened to commit suicide, especially if you try to leave?
Have they ever abandoned you, left you places, or locked you out?
Are you afraid they may kill you?
Do you feel emotionally numb?
Do you feel that there is nowhere to turn for help?
Do you feel you are alone, helpless, trapped, isolated?
Does your partner completely control you?
Do you blame yourself for the abuse?
Do they tell you that you caused him/her to abuse you or the children?
Do they blame the violence on stress, alcohol, drugs, money worries, work problems, house not clean, bad behavior of the children, etc?
When seeking medical help, do you lie about the bruising, broken bones, stab wounds, etc?
Do you lie about your partner’s real behavior?
Do you believe that you are the crazy one in the family?
Do you believe that you may be overreacting to your partner’s abusive behavior? Do you minimize it?
Do you feel as if you can never do anything right for your partner?
Do you live in fear that they will take your children from you?
Do you feel that the only way out of your relationship is if your partner is dead; do you fantasize about killing your partner?
Do you take the brunt of the abuse so that the children don’t have to?
Do they keep you from seeing friends and family? Keep you from working? Keep you from volunteering?
Are you embarrassed or humiliated about your partner’s behavior and because of that, do not invite people over?
Has your partner ever stopped you from doing what you want to do?
Do they question where you have been or where you’re going?
Is your partner jealous or possessive? Does your partner check up on you?
Does your partner limit the time you can go places? (For example: you can go to the market but must come straight home. You’re given no more than 30 minutes.)
Does your partner continually accuse you of having an affair?
Does your partner abuse you verbally?
Do they embarrass you, harass you, or criticize you in front of others?
Do they minimize, mock, or insult what you think or say?
Were you abused as a child, or did you grow up with domestic violence in the household?
Was your partner abused as a child, or grew up with domestic violence in the household?
Does your partner have low self-esteem?
Is your partner kind, giving, or loving after a bout of violence?
Have they made promises to change?
Have they promised “never to do it again?”
Has your partner promised to get help “if” you come back?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship. Often victims are amazed to learn that they have been living in an abusive relationship, even though their partner has been violent to them for years.

Abusers have the ability to make victims feel crazy, and even convince them that they caused the violence that was done to them, or that the abuse happened in a different way than it actually did.

After experiencing years of this kind of manipulation (or signs of an abusive relationship) by the abuser, the victim believes exactly what the abuser says. If you feel you are in an abusive situation, help is widely available to you. We want you to know you are not alone.

A few side notes:

After reading, Signs of an Abusive Relationship, Signs of Domestic Abuse: Am I Being Abused? many women ask me, “If I answered ‘yes' to (insert number) questions, does that mean I am in an abusive relationship?” To answer that question: it’s hard to answer that question. Every situation is different. Please continue to seeking help. Bookmark this site, and continue to learn about abuse and domestic violence.

Many times women who read, Signs of an Abusive Relationship, Am I being Abused? realize for the first time they are abused, this causes sadness, grief, hopelessness, fear, anger, depression and a multitude of other emotions. Emotions are good. They are God’s gift to you; however, don’t confront the abuser—not now, not yet. Confronting the abuser is dangerous. Try talking with women in our support groups, call the domestic violence hotline, a pastor, rabbi, priest, or a counselor.

The Signs of an Abusive Relationship questions are only a fraction of could-be situations. Some of these questions may have made you think of other situations that you've experienced. This is normal. Continue seeking help, and don't give up. We are here to help you.
The intention of Signs of an Abusive Relationship, Signs of Domestic Abuse: Am I Being Abused? is not to cause fear but to give you knowledge. If you are experiencing fear please visit one of our women's support groups, call the abuse hotline, speak with your pastor, rabbi, priest, or find a counselor, or meditate on our encouraging Bible verses (you'll find immediate peace!).
If you've read over these signs of an abusive relationship and they are very similar to your situation and you feel you are in a dangerous situation, please find safety for you and your children. Don't wait to get out. Please see our womens shelters page or call the domestic abuse hotline.

If you are still unsure if you are being abused please see visit our many resources:

Abuse and Domestic Violence Definition
Domestic Violence Definition: refers to the abuser who uses physical force to injure the victim...Domestic Abuse Definition:refers to the abuser who uses fear, intimidation or threats...

Understanding Domestic Violence
Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse or domestic violence. Domestic abuse and domestic violence does not happen by accident. Understanding Domestic Violence is crucial for anyone experiencing abuse. The more you know, the easier it will be. If you are curious about other signs of emotional abuse, financial abuse, physical abuse, spiritual abuse, and mental abuse please click on the link.

Types of Violence and Abuse
There are five different types of violence and abuse: physical, emotional, economic, spiritual, and sexual. Abuse and battering is about the need for power and control. It’s about domination over the victim...If after reading these signs of an abusive relationship and you feel you are abused, please read types of violence and abuse to help bring clarity.

Help for Domestic Violence
His Love Heals, Domestic Violence Help™ has one goal: it is to have every possible resource available to help you in your current situation. You are not just going to get help, but you have a team cheering for you, applauding you, and praying for you all the way! Please visit this page for great helpful tools and ideas.

Feeling a Little Low? Need to Know God Loves You? Need to be Encouraged? Click on the links below:

Tell Them I Love Them
His Love Heals, Domestic Violence Help™ began when Jesus said to me: Tell Them I Love Them. Come experience Jesus’ love, get healed from abuse, experience joy, hope, and peace.

Encouraging Bible Verses
Do you feel defeated, overwhelmed, discouraged, or disappointed? Do you often want to give up? Are situations in your life weighing you down? Did this page Signs of an Abusive Relationship grieve you? You can change all that! God's Word refreshes us, it gives us hope, it lifts us out of depression. Come discover the beauty of God's Word spoken over your life.

Please enjoy this video compliments of Kelly:

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