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6 early warning signs of an abusive relationship

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In 2011 Minnesota District Courts handled 27,288 domestic violence cases, this year Liz Richards, Executive Director of the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women, believes that this figure will increase.

Richards spoke with MPR News host Tom Weber about this worrying trend and tackles why there is so much secrecy that surrounds one of the most prevalent crimes in U.S

Both victims and perpetrators talk candidly about how their relationships spirally into violence, abuse and rape. They describe how emotionally difficult it is to identify an abusive relationship.

Sean Fields, therapist at the Domestic Abuse Project in Minneapolis says there are 6 things to look for:

1. Can you identify a pattern of behavior (a single act of abuse wouldn't necessarily count)

2. Are you always feeling like you're walking on egg shells?

3. Abuse doesn't always mean being hit, often abuse is psychological and emotional, for example put downs, feeling isolate, constant threats

4. Do you feel like your life is severely restricted that you have no privacy or independence, perhaps feeling of being stalked?

5. Do you have feelings of low self-worth, or mental health symptoms as a result of the ongoing pattern?

6. Lastly - do you feel like you cannot talk to anyone about this. Do you feel ashamed and need to keep the abuse a secret?

If this program raise issues and you need help please contact

Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women 24-Hour Phone Line: (866) 223-1111 Or the Domestic Abuse Project : 612.874.7063