According to Anna Leah Sarabia, Founder and Executive Director of Kalakasan (Kababaihan Laban sa Karahasan), the leap from verbal to physical abuse is not a great one.
If he abuses people, even verbally, that is one indication of a violent temper, she says. Sarabia, who has spent years counseling victims of violence and spousal abuse, has a list of signs of an abuser, all of which are discussed during campus tours.
And abuse is more common than you would think. According to the Washington-based National Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
- One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.
- 85 percent of domestic violence victims are women. Historically, females have been most often victimized by someone they knew.
- Females who are 20 to 24 years of age are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.
- Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police.
But how can you tell if a guy is going to be abusive down the line? We've mapped out some early warning signs. If you recognize these signs in a guy you've been seeing, it's a good indication that you should run as fast and as far away as you can.
If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, call the Women's Crisis Center at the East Avenue Medical Center, East Avenue, Quezon City, at (632) 922-5235. The fax number is (632) 924-9315.
*Note: In instances below, names have been changed by request to respect the individuals' privacy.
(Originally published as "Mel Gibson Accused of Abusing Girlfriend Oksana Gregorieva + How to Spot an Abusive Boyfriend" on Female Network)
