*Someone who insists on moving too quickly into a relationship.

*Someone who does not honor your boundaries.

*A partner who is excessively jealous or possessive.

*Someone who criticizes your appearance or makes frequent put-downs.

*Someone whose words and actions do not go together.

*Someone who does not take responsibility for their behavior and blames others for their failures or difficulties.

*Anyone who has a history of battering.

*Someone who blames the entire failure of an earlier relationship on their partner. Example: "My ex-wife was a total bitch."

*Someone who grew up in an abusive, violent home.

*Someone who has very stereotypical views of sex roles.

*A partner who insists that you stop participating in leisure interests or spending time with your family or friends.

*Someone who tells you how you should feel or tries to talk you out of your feelings.

*Someone who seems that they may be too good to be true.

* Anyone who makes frequent and harsh derogatory remarks about others.

*Anyone who is very impulsive and shows signs of raging out of control.

*Someone who is mean to or abuses animals.

*Someone who criticizes your family or friends without even knowing them.

Any one of these signs in and of themselves may not indicate potential abusive behavior. It is important, however, not to dismiss "red flags", but to take time to explore them further. One should always take the time to get to know a potential partner and watch for patters of behavior in a variety of situations.

Probably the greatest risk factor for being in an abusive relationship is being somehow vulnerable. Identifying this and participating in good self care can lower the risk of involvement in an abusive relationship.