- Safety & Security
- Services
- Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center
- Help Your Loved One
Help Your Loved One
Warning signs of an abusive relationship could be:
- Their partner puts them down in front of other people.
- They are constantly worried about making their partner angry, ‘walking on eggshells’.
- They make excuses for their partner’s behavior.
- Their partner is extremely jealous or possessive.
- They have unexplained marks or injuries.
- They’ve stopped communicating with friends and family.
- They are depressed or anxious, or you notice changes in their personality.
It can be difficult to know what to do when you suspect a loved one is being abused. Remember, abuse is about power and control.
Empower your loved one to make their own decisions. You can do this by taking the following actions:
- Acknowledge their situation by being supportive and listening, refrain from giving advice.
- Encourage them to participate in activities outside of the relationship.
- Encourage them to speak with a Domestic Violence Resource Center employee. View a list of Chesterfield County Resources and more additional resources.
- Express your concern for their safety and well-being.
- Help them develop a safety plan (PDF).
- Remember you cannot “rescue” them.
- Respect their decisions, even if you disagree with them.
- Withhold judgment and pressure.
If you suspect your loved one may be a Perpetrator of Violence or an Abusive Partner, read more about abusers to help inform yourself.