Last updated: 11 September 2024

Next review: 11 September 2025

Abuse in a relationship can happen to anyone and it's never acceptable. It can destroy your self-confidence, have a negative impact on your health and wellbeing and leave you feeling isolated and lonely. Here are some signs that you may be in an abusive relationship, they may:

  • be jealous and possessive
  • cut you off from family and friends and try to isolate you
  • control you - for example, your money, who you should see, what you should wear
  • monitor your movements
  • blame you for the abuse
  • humiliate or insult you in front of others
  • verbally abuse you
  • constantly criticise you
  • use anger and intimidation to frighten you and make you comply with their demands
  • tell you that you're useless and couldn't cope without them