We are huge supporters of the amazing work done by Women’s Aid, and their Too Into You Campaign. We will do anything to help spread the word about healthy relationships and potential red flags.

Here’s a helpful post they wrote just for us and our followers…

 

Intimate relationship abuse against young people is prevalent in Ireland, with 1 in 5 young women aged 18 to 25 having been subjected to abuse within a relationship. The abuse can have devastating effects such as anxiety, depression and isolation from friends and family. Some are even hospitalised from injuries or attempt suicide as a result of the abuse.

Abuse can feel like a big word, but the subtle ways a person mistreats their partner can start out small and get much worse over time. It’s important to help a friend if you think they are experiencing abuse. Watching out for patterns of behaviour in your friend or partner can help to identify abuse.

Here are the 10 key warning signs that could mean your friend is in an abusive relationship:

1. You don’t see them as much as you used to
2. They seem distant, withdrawn and distracted
3. They seem anxious or nervous around their partner
4. They seem to be watching everything they say and do
5. Their partner gets jealous or angry easily
6. Their partner always puts them down
7. Their partner makes them send nudes
8. Their partner bombards their phone with messages, DMs and comments and all of their videos and stories
9. Their partner demands to look through their phone and knows their passwords
10. Their partner criticises the way they look and how they dress

 

It’s important to note, however, that if you don’t recognise any of these signs, but something still feels wrong, your friend could still be experiencing abuse. You don’t have to be 100% sure that what they’re experiencing is abuse, if it feels wrong, then it probably is.

If you think a friend might be in trouble but you’re not sure what to do. Here’s some things you can do to support them:

1. Check-in on them – Text them to say hi. Ask them if they’re ok. Let them know you’re there.
2. Talk to them in person – Don’t talk to them about your concerns over text. It could put them in danger if their partner looks through their phone.
3. Believe them – Tell them “I believe you”, “It’s not your fault”, and “What they are doing to you is not ok.”
4. Speak to someone they are close to – If you don’t think you’re close enough with them to approach the conversation you can speak, in confidence, to someone they trust.
5. Tell them about TooIntoYou.ie – The Too Into You Instant Messaging Service offers confidential support to those who might be experiencing abuse. Available at TooIntoYou.ie

 

Our ‘Help a Friend’ tool is also available at TooIntoYou.ie. You’ll find more information there that can help you spot the signs of abuse, learn how to start a conversation with someone think might be experiencing abuse, and find support for intimate relationship abuse.

Remember, if you are supporting someone through this difficult and emotional time, remember to look after yourself. Make sure that you don’t put yourself into a dangerous situation; for example, do not offer to talk to their partner.

You can speak to someone on our free and confidential Instant Messaging Service or call the Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Learn more about spotting the signs and what you can do to help at toointoyou.ie and by following #YesItsAbuse

 

If you would like to support us and the work that we do,  you can donate below ❤