How To

How to Identify a Victim of Spousal Abuse

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(23 Ratings)

Spousal abuse may take the form of physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse and verbal threats of violence.

From Quick Guide: Understanding Family Violence
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Look for signs of fear in the victim when he or she is around the suspected abuser.

  2. Step 2

    Note whether the victim makes excuses for the suspected abuser's anger or violent temper.

  3. Step 3

    Look for signs of alcohol or drug abuse by the victim or the suspected abuser.

  4. Step 4

    Find out if either the victim or suspected abuser has a family history of abuse.

  5. Step 5

    Note whether the victim displays an unhealthy dependence on the suspected abuser, either financially, socially or emotionally.

  6. Step 6

    Look for bruises, limping, sores or poor health.

  7. Step 7

    Consider frequent or unexplainable absences from work or a decrease in productivity as signs of possible domestic violence.

Tips & Warnings
  • Understand that nobody deserves to be abused. If you suspect someone is being abused, take action immediately.
  • Call the National Domestic Violence hotline at (800) 799-7233 if you suspect spousal abuse.

Comments  

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fubbill said

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on 5/5/2009 http://www.wcpo.com/content/news/fresh/story/3-Officers-Injured-While-Running-Down-Suspect/YeLwSjtYok2lV3aAarf5Hg.cspx?p=Comments

comal247 said

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on 12/27/2008 I have abitter sweet relattionship my boyfriend whom i have two children with and have lived with for 8 years is a drug addict that works and provides for his family but abuses crack every weekend and when the high is over and done with I get the worse attitude and discust out of him he blames me for all his downfalls and I solve his problems I work full time and Im a grate mom and if he didnt have this habit he would be a perfect man he always says he will get help but doesnt even try and I have older children from my previuos relationship and he lashes out at one of my daughters and that kills and the decision to move on is difficult but Im also afraid that someday he may snap when he doesnt have for his drugs

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on 12/9/2008 If it happens once and he apologizes does that mean it will happen again, or is it okay because hes stressed and he dont know why he did it? We went to bed thanksgiving night and I told him that I was unhappy and tired of him always being pissed at me for nothing so he goes well then stop pissing me off...I got annoyed and said I could leave so he started chocking me and I couldnt breath....I had never hit my husband but he was cutting of my air supply so I punched him in the face so he lets go and goes now your really pissing me off...the next day he goes im so sorry it'll never happen again...

theabused said

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on 11/15/2008 After her recovery (5 months) into it, she walks out because I asked her to stop hurting me, to confirm our love to me. To show me gentleness and love in return to what she put me through, she said “she is not me”, she can’t do what I did. I was so stupid I was willing to forgive her. Here I am today feeling all alone and stupid because I allowed her to take advantage of me. I believed her lies and deceptions when she said “She loved me”, “She’ll stand up with me like I did with her”. Am I right to ask for the gentleness and the assurances about the relationship from her? I am not interested in the relationship anymore… but I am interested to know if I was normal to have rage, pain and shame? What gives her the right to treat me the way she did? Why did I forgive her again and again? Why am I stuck today in my life, depressed and sad? I did nothing but to be a decent man…I feel stu

theabused said

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on 11/15/2008 I ended 3 year relationship 2 months ago with a woman who cheated on me, she walked out on me after 3 years of me saving her life again and again...See she was a drug addict, and when she got better she bailed out. Today is tough for me for being stupid and naïve. Her excuse is if she stays in the relationship she will go out again. I remember when she was strung on that **** I used to hold her kids pictures up to her eyes and ask “if it was worth it?”. See she also lost custody of her kids from previous marriage. I saved this Girl from the abyss of hell. I sacrificed again and again to see her strong and healthy. For what! She f… walked out on me, bailed out the moment she got her life together! I carried this woman on my back for over 3 years…She cheated on me, she sold her self for drugs (prostituted) for crumbs. After her recovery (5 months) into it, she walks out because I as

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