Which of the following is a warning sign of intimate partner violence?

• A. Mutual respect
• B. Open communication
• C. Equality in decision making
• D. Controlling behavior

Answer: (D)

Controlling behavior is a warning sign because it shows one partner trying to dominate the other and restrict their autonomy. When someone dictates who you can see, where you go, how you spend money, or what you wear, and even tries to isolate you from friends or family, it creates fear and dependence rather than equal partnership. This pattern reflects power and coercion, which are characteristic of intimate partner violence. In contrast, healthy relationships rely on mutual respect, open communication, and equality in decision making, all of which support autonomy and consent. So the presence of controlling behavior points to abuse, while the other healthy behaviors indicate a non-abusive dynamic.