In today's social media driven world, buzzwords like ‘toxic relationships’ constantly appear on our feeds. We believe there is no such thing as a ‘toxic relationship’ - if you have a gut feeling that something is wrong, the question that we should ask is “is my friend in an abusive relationship?”
Here are 10 signs to look out if you are worried about someone else’s relationship:
1. The partner is jealous of your friend spending time with others
Domestic abuse thrives in isolation so if your friends’ partner can’t stand the thought of them having family and friends to support them, this could be a sign of controlling behaviour.
2. Your friend isn’t themselves around their partner
3. Your friend always make excuses for their partners behaviour
4. Your friends’ partner is always undermining them
5. Having their partner constantly checking where they are and who they are with
6. Making inappropriate jokes, often at the expense of your friend
7. Your friend hides purchases from their partner
8. You don’t see your friend as often since they got into a new relationship
9. Your friend’s partner show up to events, even when they haven’t been invited
10. There’s a clear imbalance of power
It can be really difficult to determine if a relationship is abusive, but what is important is that we educate ourselves to spot the signs and respond helpfully. You can find more information regarding domestic abuse and how to support here: How can I help? | Findaway (wefindaway.org.uk)
Alternatively, if you have recognised some of these red flags and are unsure what to do, you can call our confidential phoneline for a chat and we can discuss your situation anonymously and provide you with options and support.