A Horrific Crime

 

Sheryl Cates, executive director of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, says many women may be in a potentially abusive relationship and not even know it. She says there are five indicators that a relationship could become violent.

1. Jealousy and possessiveness
2. Controlling behavior
3. Verbal abuse
4. Threats to harm you, your family or your pet
5. Isolation from friends and family

Many of the red flags were present in Yvette's relationship. "He called me a fat beached whale," she says. "He would try to make me feel less than a human being."