What are the warning signs of domestic violence (of a battered woman)?

My God, there are a ton of them:

Emotional Signs

Apathy
The "blahs"
Recreation no
longer pleasurable
Sad

Anxiety
Restlessness
Agitated
Insecure
Feeling of
worthlessness

Irritability
Overly sensitive
Defensive
Arrogant
Insubordinate
Hostile

Mental Fatigue
Preoccupied
Inflexible
Difficulty in
concentrating

Over
Compensation
Denial
Exaggerate
Suspicious
Denies problem
Grandiose
Paranoid

Behavioral Signs

Withdrawal
Social isolation
Reluctance to
accept
responsibility
Neglecting
responsibility

Acting Out
Alcohol abuse
Gambling
Spending spree
Overeating

Desperate Acting
Out
Getting attention
Cry for help
Suicidal

Administrative
Infractions
Tardy to work
Poor appearance
Poor personal
hygiene

Legal In fractures
Indebtedness
Shoplifting
Traffic tickets
Fights
Child/spouse
abuse
Physical Signs

Preoccupation
with illness
(intolerant
of/dwelling on
minor ailments)

Frequent Illness
(Actually sick)

Physical
Exhaustion

Use of
Self-Medication

Somatic
Indicators:
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Initial insomnia
- Recurrent
awakening
- Early morning
rising
- Change of
appetite
- Weight gain
- Weight loss
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Sexual difficulties

For more indepth information on any of these signs, go to the site below....http://www.dvert.org/info/warningsigns.a...

Warning Signs That One Is being Abused:
The following are some warning signs that someone is being abused, please if you see these signs in yourself or in someone you know then please get help before it is too late.

Absence from Work
Blaming Oneself/ Self blame
Injuries and Excuses for Them
Isolation from Friends and Family Fear of Conflict with Others
Not Knowing Ones Goals/ Feelings
Personality Changes
Some Agressiveness

Warning Signs of The Abuser/ Batterer
The Following are some warning signs to see if someone is a potential batterer, and to know to get away from them as soon as possible.

Abusing Athority
Abusing Trust
Breaking Promises
Denying Abuse/ Blame
Destruction
Disrespect
Economic Control
Emotional Abuse
Emotional Withdrawl
Harassment
Intimidation
Isolation
Physical Abuse
Pressure Tactics
Self Destructive Behavior
Sexual Abuse/ Violence
Use of Weapons
Verbal Abuse

National Hotline For Battered Women:
1-800-537-2238
http://www.geocities.com/swampgirl75/My-...

Risk Factors predicting abuse

1. Age <35 years old
2. Separated or divorced
3. Medical assistance or no insurance
4. Higher depression or anxiety scores
5. Drug or Alcohol Abuse
6. Suicide attempts
7. Broken bones, sprains, or serious cuts
8. Diarrhea
9. Vaginal Discharge
10. Substance Abuse by a partner

Stress and safety

1. Do you feel safe in your relationship?

Afraid or Abused

1. Has your partner ever threatened you or your children
2. Has your partner ever abused you or your children

If you find yourself in any of the above, you should seek help!

The obvious first: bruises, burn marks, wear long sleeves even when it's hot (to hide bruises). They deny the abuse, make up stories about "falling down stairs" to explain any bruises and are usually embarrased (or afraid) when the injury is noticed. They often seem afraid of their husbands.

If you think your friend could be in danger: a tip for you. DO NOT let her husband know that you suspect. It could put her in greater danger than she is in already. Be willing to discreetly help her leave her husband, and gently encourage her to do so. Remind her that the abuse is not her fault, and she does not deserve it, and does not have to live with it. And that she can leave and go to a safe place. The police can help you find a woman's shelter.

a lot a women start to spend a lot of time at home dont go out . hideing out at home wont call or get off the phone when there partner comes in.
if it is like hitting there will be excuse like i fell or walked in to a door to explain the bruses or cuts. a lot of time it is hard to see there are so many different ways it is hard to answer without knowing more of the story but . but there are so many ways to help and lots of help out there for people in that plese help who every this is about before it is too late

Warning signs include marks on her body. (She may claim that she walked into a door or fell down the stairs.) Fearfulness around her man. Little or no contact with friends or family. Never goes out without her man. He gets jealous if she talks to other men. He is very macho and yells at her a lot. He may threaten her in front of others, but he may not take action until they are alone. If there are kids, they may be fearful around the man. They also may "act out" in violent ways to express their anger or frustration. She may be depressed a lot.

All of these can be signs of domestic abuse, but none of them are guarantees. However, if you suspect abuse, you should talk with the woman or report it to the domestic abuse hotline. Often, abused women may think there is no other place for them to go. The man may convince her that he will take the kids if she leaves, or he may threaten to harm her. He also may have convinced her that she is worthless and that nobody else wants her. So you may have to take action even if she doesn't. Social services and the police realize that women may not want to press charges, so they will take matters into their own hands if they suspect abuse.

The best thing you can do is offer your support. And by the way, men can be victims of domestic abuse, too. So this advice is for men as well as for women. Look in the phone book under your county government listings. They probably have a domestic abuse task force or something similar. Definitely, they will know what to do.

If you feel the need to ask, you should probably get out! There are many warning signs of abuse. I have been there, twice.

1. The abuser will begin to ask many questions. (Who are you talking to, where are you going?)
2. The abuser begins to dislike your friends or forbids you to have any.
3. The abuser begins to become picky about the way you do things.
4. The abuser either doesn't want to communicate with your family or forbids you to see them.
5. The abuser begins to say things out of anger to hurt you.
6. The abuser begins to throw objects out of anger.
7. The abuser stops talking about problems in a rational way.
8. The abuser becomes angered very easily.
9. The abuser may have bouts of anger with friends, coworkers and family.

I'm sure there are more signs. Please check this website out for more reading. It is about recognizing the signs for domestic abuse. I really hope this will help you to understand.

Please, PLEASE feel free to email me, if you'd like. And please try to find a family member or friend to talk to. Don't let it go on! The best of luck to you. Email me! :)