How to spot an abusive person, and leave abusive relationships

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Great article by mental health therapist Jennifer Jones below. Here she talks about how men who try too hard to please controlling, abusive mothers struggle with maintaining a healthy and happy marriage: http://howtotellifaguyisajerk.blogspot.com/2007/04/what-is-up-with-mamas-boys.html

How to tell if a guy is a jerk and find a really terrific man (wow, what a mouthful!) is a magnificent blog! It shows how women can recognise abusive or neglectful men, and how to recognise good men. Unfortunately, there isn't much information on how to leave abusive relationships though (http://relationship.lifetips.com/cat/64781/abusive-relationships/index.html This is more a site to receive emotional support and encouragement on leaving toxic relationships, and spotting the signs of abuse.


http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/an-abusive-relationship This offers tips on what to do / say to convince someone why they shouldn't remain in an abusive relationship. The problem with abusive relationships is that people who have been abused for so long see the abuse as being normal, a one off, or are scared of what happens if they leave. There are Australian domestic violence services (Rape Crisis Centre, Mens Line, Centre Against Sexual Assault Crisis, Police/Ambulance/Fire Brigade is 000)

http://www.heart-2-heart.ca/men/The Excellent advice on how abused men can leave violent relationships. The advice can also apply to abused women, and people of other genders. It covers safety, legal and financial issues, evidence documenting the abuse (photos, affidavits, journal/diary), contact details of domestic violence services, financial documents (credit card/mortgage/insurance/investment documents, your Will). This also offers great advice on how to convince someone to leave an abusive relationship and not be fooled when the abuser pretends to have changed their ways.

Also, something important to keep in mind: Domestic violence is a Child Protection issue. Many domestic violence situations (more than fifty percent) involve child neglect or child abuse. In Australia, children witnessing/hearing domestic violence is considered a form of abuse.