Once someone abuses you physically for the first time, it will probably happen again.  Don't believe that its within your power to change a person.  It isn't. Don't believe that you are obligated to stick around dangerous people until they see the light - you're not and they won't.  Don't ignore these warning signs:

An Abusive Person:

• Jealousy without any reason.  It is NOT a sign of love. They are simply staking out their personal territory and it happens to be you.
• Controlling Behavior.  Making you explain what you've been doing and where you've been - choosing your friends, your job, your food or your clothes for you. Your decisions are 'ours' their decisions are none of your concern.
  
• Distinterested in your desires: Your interests, goals and dreams are of no interest and will always take a back seat.  Will often find ways to disrupt or ruin events or occasions that are important to you.
• Rude, Self Centered:  Expects you to act like a servant. Interrupts anything you are doing, any time for any reason with no thought.
• Quick Involvement.  Everything just happens too fast. They sink in the hook and reel you in and won't let go- of course because they love you.
• "If you really loved me, you'd..."  This is the justification they can use for any demand- because any refusal on your part - no matter how small is a betrayal of their love.  This isn't love is a power grab.
  
• Isolation.  You'll be cut off from your friends, family anyone who you might ever be able to turn to for help or friendship will be cut out of your life.
• They are NEVER to blame.  Nothing is ever their fault.  They're paranoid.  Life is chronically unfair to them.  Even their feelings are someone elses fault - probably yours. Highly critical of others
• Cruel. Insensitve to pain in pets or animals, punish harshly, careless of the suffering of others.  Take pleasure in others hurt.
• Verbally and emotionally abusive.  They'll not only call you names - they'll mock and degrade you and your accomplishments.  They won't hesitate to remind you that without them - you're nothing.  Hint that they'll leave you for someone better than you.
• Explosive Mood Swings.  From sweet and affectionate to vicious to heartbroken appologetic and comforting.......and back.
• Violent Outbursts not (literally) directed at you. But designed to terrorize you anyway.  Slamming doors, breaking objects (especially things dear to you) driving fast - to frighten you.
• Any Use of Physical Force. Pushing you, holding you against the wall, grabbing your arm and refusing to let go until 'you've listened" 
  
• Inconsistent Public and Private Behavior:   Treats you completely differently in public.  Brags about you but never compliments you.
• Disrespects Social Customs and Laws:   Holidays, gifts, religious customs are of no interest to them
• Manipulative: Guilt trips, dishonest behaviour, relentlessly pushes you into activities that make you uncomfortable.
• Reactions are out of Proportion:
• Absense of Empathy:   Incapable of putting themselves in someone elses shoes.  Unwilling to care for others.  Insists on going out when you feel ill.  Drags you on rides that you tell them frighten you or make you sick - for your own good.

Some Domestic Violence Statistics

• On average, in America, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends every day
• 31% of American women have been subjected to physical abuse or sexual abuse by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives
• 30% of Americans say they know a woman who has been physically abused by her husband or boyfriend in the past year
• In 2001, more than half a million American women were victims of nonfatal domestic violence commited by an intimate partner
• In 2001 domestic violence by an intimate partner made up 20% of all violent crimes against women.  Women of all races are equally vulnerable
• 76% of women reporting rape or physical assault at some point in their lives suffered at the hand of a current or former husband, boy friend or date
• Studies suggest that every year up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence
• 80% of women who are stalked by a former husband are physically assaulted by that stalker and 30% of sexually assaulted by that stalker

Source:  Family Violence Prevention fund - The facts on Domestic Violence

Teen and Campus Dating Violence

• 1 in 5 teens in a serious relationship report Dating Violence -  having been hit, slapped or pushed by their partner
• Young women aged 16-24 experience the highest rates of relationship violence
• 12% of respondents in a study on violence against women report having been stalked before the age of 18
• 40% of girls 14-17 report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend
• 32% of students report dating violence by a previous partner and 21% report violence by a current partner
• 39-54% of dating violence victims remain in the relationship

 
WHY?

• Victims may remain in an abusive relationship for many reasons- Fear, self-blame, minimizing the crime, misplaced loyalties, social or religious stigma or lack of understanding.

Source:  The National Center for Victims of Crime