Dating relationships can take many twists and turns. Unfortunately, some relationships can become abusive. While a lot of the public focus on dating abuse is on younger couples, people of all ages can be victims of dating violence.
Whatever a person’s age, if he or she is starting to feel uneasy about a dating relationship, it is important for him or her to keep an eye out for signs that the relationship may be turning abusive.
Physical aggression
One major warning sign of dating abuse is if a dating partner commits any type of physically painful or harmful action against you. No relationship should ever involve physical violence, so if your partner has gotten physically abusive with you, it may be time to re-evaluate the relationship.
Verbal aggression
Verbal behavior that can be possible signs of abuse include a dating partner regularly subjecting you to:
- Accusations
- Put-downs
- Belittling
Controlling behavior
Examples of controlling behavior in a relationship can include a dating partner:
- Being very possessive of you
- Regularly telling you what you can do
- Regularly telling you what you can’t do
- Repeatedly putting pressure on you to be physically intimate
Emotional extremes
It can be important to keep an eye on whether a dating partner regularly demonstrates extreme:
- Jealousy
- Insecurity
- Mood swings towards you
- Bursts of temper
Any of these behaviors could be signs of emotional abuse in the relationship.
Isolating actions
Warning signs of isolating actions can come from how a dating partner acts in relation to your friends and family. A common tactic of abusers is to isolate a person from his or her loved ones.
Digital warning signs
Red flags can also come from how a dating partner acts towards your digital presence. A partner looking at your cellphone, online accounts or emails without your permission could be a sign of a relationship taking a bad turn.
It is important to note that this is not a comprehensive list of things that could be indicative of dating abuse. Signs that could be cause for significant concern can vary from relationship to relationship, as every couple dynamic is different.
If a you believe that your dating relationship has turned abusive, it is important to reach out for help and support so that you can get protection against the abuse you’re facing.