One of the best ways to reduce partner violence is to help women avoid establishing
intimate relationships with potential abusers, in the first place. What are the
characteristics of potential abusers? How can one identify a potential abuser early
on? In using this Checklist, it is important to keep in mind that the individual’s “gut
reactions” about personal safety are more critical than any objective set of
indicators. Moreover, what constitutes “warning signs” early on in a relationship
may change over time after a commitment (e.g., marriage, having children, and the
like).