How to Identify a Victim of Spousal Abuse

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

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Look for signs of fear in the victim when he or she is around the suspected abuser.
2. Note whether the victim makes excuses for the suspected abuser's anger or violent temper.
3. Look for signs of alcohol or drug abuse by the victim or the suspected abuser.
4. Find out if either the victim or suspected abuser has a family history of abuse.
5. Note whether the victim displays an unhealthy dependence on the suspected abuser, either financially, socially or emotionally.
6. Look for bruises, limping, sores or poor health.
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 [phone] if you suspect spousal abuse.