Violence and abuse against women take many forms. Once you know the different types of domestic violence, you can start to differentiate between what is normal and what isn’t. Many women are stuck in the same cycle over and over again that they don’t even realize when they’re in a situation they need to escape.
According to the National Council for Women (NCW) statistics, more than 8 million Egyptian women face domestic violence each year. Not only that but up to 86% of Egyptian wives are at risk of spousal abuse. In fact, statistics show that four out of 5 Egyptian men have abused their wives in one way or another.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, there are more than 12 million women who are victims of domestic abuse in the United States, showing that this isn’t just a domestic issue, but a global one.
Via:UNICEF/@_girl_from_pluto – domestic violence against women
Spotting the red flags of domestic abuse is key to helping prevent domestic violence. To help raise awareness for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, here are some of the most common relationship red flags that could lead to domestic abuse:
What is domestic violence?
Via: Adobe Stock – domestic abuse
When your partner uses tactics to control and take power over you, this is considered domestic violence. That control can be through one of the following:
- Emotional abuse
- Physical violence
- Stalking or any form of monitoring daily activities
- Controlling your money or sabotaging your employment
- Harming or threatening to harm their children
- Sexual violence
You can find out more details about the types of domestic abuse here.
How to spot relationship red flags
Via: COE – Domestic violence red flags
Domestic abuse can leave a person feeling fearful or having concerns for their safety. According to the CDC, 62% of women and 18% of men report being victims of intimate partner violence. To help prevent that, here are some of the red flags of domestic abuse to look out for:
- Moves too quickly into a relationship. If you just met and they’re already talking marriage and kids, do not be blinded by excitement. This is a sign that he might be an abuser.
- Extremely possessive. Romanticizes the idea of wanting you all to themselves and slowly prevents you from spending time with family or friends.
- Asks you to quit your job, stop participating in hobbies or activities.
- Doesn’t respect your boundaries.
- Extremely jealous. Accuses you of being unfaithful and doesn’t trust you being around the opposite sex even if it’s buying something from the supermarket.
- Always needs to keep tabs on you. Wants to know your every step, where you are, who you’re with, and what you’re doing to the extent that he calls you excessively throughout the day or even monitors your movements through technology.
- Constantly makes you feel bad about yourself and makes you feel that you are not worthy of love.
- Always blames others and doesn’t take any responsibility for his actions.
- Takes your money or uses up your credit limit.
- Can show signs of rage with you, but instantly be composed under control around others.
- Physically abuses animals or children.
- Harms you physically in any sort of way.
- Manipulates you into sexual activities.
- Forces you to have sexual activities against your will.
If you are facing any form of abuse or feel unsafe in your relationship, according to the United Nations, this is the number to call for domestic violence against women in Egypt +02 25787089 – 76792
Further reading:
- What to Do If Your Children Witness Your Husband Beating You
- Physical Abuse Is Being Normalized and Mocked in Egypt
- Egypt Opens Shelter For Physically Abused Women in Giza
Sources used in this article:
- Red Flags of Abuse – NNEDV
- What are the red flags of domestic violence? – Administration for children & families
- Domestic Abuse: How to Spot Relationship Flags – Health Cleveland
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