Know the signs of domestic violence
Signs that someone you know is being abused
• You notice your friend’s partner calls them names or puts them down in front of other people.
• If your friend talks to other people, their partner gets extremely jealous.
• They apologize for their partner’s behavior and make excuses for it.
• They frequently cancel plans at the last minute for reasons that sound strange or untrue.
• Their partner is always checking up, calling or texting and demanding to know where they’ve been and with whom.
• You’ve seen fights escalate to breaking or hitting things.
• They’re constantly worried about upsetting their partner or making them angry.
• Giving up things they used to enjoy, such as spending time with friends, family, or other activities.
• Weight, appearance, punctuality, or work attendance have changed dramatically. These could be signs of depression, which could indicate abuse.
• Your friend has injuries he or she can’t explain or the explanations given doesn’t make sense.
For immediate help, call the Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania hotline: Washington, 724-223-9190; Greene, 724-852-2463, and Fayette, 724-439-9500.