You’d have to be crazy to hook up with an abuser, right? That’s what I thought, but after working on our relationship violence story for six months, I was shocked by how smart and cool the women who get fooled are. The thing is, these guys are super charmers, pulling off Oscar-worthy performances of Mr. Dream Dude -- at least while they’re wooing you. And then, when they’ve got you madly in love with them, ka-bang, their violent true colors start showing.
The good news: there are definite danger sings a guy is an abuser before he ever raises a fist -- and they start with you just having a funny feeling in your pit of your stomach. Because possessiveness and control are major red flags, Cindy Southworth, a VP at the National Network to End Domestic Violence, suggests this little test: “Break a date at the beginning when he’s all hot and heavy, and tell him your girlfriend needs you. If he says, ‘I’m disappointed but I understand,’ great. But if it’s, ‘I can’t bear to be apart,’ or he makes you feel guilty, puts your friend down, or gets angry, these are not good signs!”
Here are a few other red flags from Southworth and the whole team of experts at the National Network to End Domestic Violence, both for you and -- in case you’re worried about a friend -- for her:
Watch out if your guy:
- Is so crazy about you he wants to settle in as soon as you meet.
Also watch out if:
Run if:
- !! You find out he had a violent relationship with a former girlfriend.
And if you’re worried about a friend? She might be in trouble if:
- She starts saying she can’t come to things you invite her to (because she has to be with her boyfriend).
Have you or a friend ever witnessed any of these warning signs?
* * * * *
Liz Brody is Glamour's editor at large. Learn more about relationship violence and join Glamour's Tell Somebody campaign to help keep women safe now.