Abuse in a relationship can take verbal, emotional or physical forms, according to the executive director of the Centre Against Abuse.

Laurie Shiell says that is why the centre takes steps to instruct those in positions of responsibility doctors, nurses, bosses what to look for.

She said the centre is also focusing on hair salons as places women will often share their problems.

"What we don't always understand is that the hairdressers are like the men's bartenders. Women form relationships with their hairdresser and they start to talk.

"A hairdresser brought up a situation to me. She had a client whose father sat there the entire time even though she was old enough to be there on her own. The hairdresser later found out he was molesting her."

Situations like this is why Ms Shiell said the centre is working with the Cut it Out Program in the United States to educate hairdressers as well as working in general to inform the public.

She listed the following ways to tell if the person you are with is an abuser:

1) If the person is constantly calling. It may seem sweet at first. But it is possessive. It's about where you are and what you're doing and who you're doing it with.

2) In the morning they tell you what you should wear. Why do you have that on? Etc...

3) Controlling what you eat: You shouldn't eat meat that's not good for you. Sometimes it's for the person and their health but it needs to be monitored when it occurs with other signs.

4) If they are verbally abusive

5) If they threaten violence

6) If they have unpredictable mood swings

She also gave signs of how to tell if a person is being abused:

1) If she is missing clumps in her hair — it could be falling out from stress.

2) Bumps about the body.

3) Changes in their personality; the person becomes more withdrawn.

4) A partner sitting in the hair salon and telling them how to cut their hair or sitting there the entire time they are there to make sure she doesn't say anything.

For more information call the centre on 292-4366 or 297-8278. There is also a hotline for men: 332-1293.

The Women's Resource Centre also advises and offers therapy for those in, or planning to leave, an abusive relationship. The Centre runs a 24-hour hotline for counselling and help: 295-7273.