POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 69 How to help someone who has an abusive partner Designed by Freepik You may know someone whose partner is abusing them. They may be your neighbour, friend or family member. It’s hard to know what to do or how to talk about it. You may not know where to start, or you may worry you will make the situation worse. When one partner is hurting the other, it’s called abuse. It can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, controlling their partner’s money or behaviour, controlling them emotionally, or coercive control. Coercive control is behaviour by a current or former partner or family member that makes someone fear they will be physically harmed, causes their mental health to decline, or causes the victim such distress that their daytoday activities are negatively affected. Warning signs someone may be experiencing abuse It may be abuse if one partner: • often puts their partner down or calls them names • does all the talking for their partner • checks up on their partner all the time, even at work • claims that they are the victim, despite treating their partner disrespectfully • keeps their partner away from friends, family and other people • treats their partner like property • takes control of their partner’s money • lies to make themself look good • acts like they are the most important person in the home. It may be abuse if one partner: • makes excuses for their partner’s behaviour or aggressively defends their partner’s behaviour • is inattentive or distracted • is nervous talking when their partner is around • seems to be sick more often and misses work • tries to cover up bruises or injuries • makes excuses at the last minute about why they can’t meet you • seems sad, lonely, or afraid. continued
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