In response to Domestic Violence Awareness Month, IdeaMarketers.com experts held a panel discussion about abusive relationships. In the first half of the call, they discussed how to spot a potentially abusive partner in the dating stage -- before you've made a commitment. A recording of the panel discussion is available for free at the Domestic Violence Panel Discussion

Stephany Alexander of WomanSavers.com discussed red flags in the dating phase. "Out there right now, there are a lot of dangerous people. When you meet a stranger, you have no idea who you're dealing with. There are people saying they're doctors, lawyers, going to cyber cafés and creating fictitious everything. They're buying their degrees online. Pedophiles are lurking around, targeting single mothers for access to their children.

The very first thing that you can do is pay attention to writing styles. Are they educated? If somebody says they're a doctor, ask a few medical questions. Do they punctuate? Do they type in all upper caps? There are so many clues in the beginning. Get a real first and last name.

Once you have a real first and last name, the sky's the limit. You can get a criminal background check for under $50 on the net. This will tell you if you're dealing with a felon, how many times a person has been married, where they live, if they have professional licenses, etc. You can get everything but their blood type. Secondly, do a character check. See if a man has a bad relationship history. He could be a deadbeat dad, spreading STDs knowingly, or conning unsuspecting women out of money. It happens all the time. If you're a mother or parent, do a sexual predator search. Google a person's name, E-mail address, telephone number, any information you have. You can even Google a person's dating screen name and see how many other dating sites they're on."

Dr. Jeanne King, founder of Partners and Prevention, recommends taking the The Intimate Patner Abuse Screen, which "helps you to spot intimate partner violence in moments in response to 34 questions. It brings to light the symptoms that are evident both internally and externally. The core issue is control. Possessiveness is characteristic. The tendency to externalize blame, to want to isolate the partner from all other sources of support, the use of battering to maintain a dynamic of unequal power. Is this safe and comfortable and right, or is this potentially dangerous?"

Marriage and family therapist Dr. Neill Neill adds, "There's one more thing that is evident in the beginning that is a big red flag. In the initial interaction, people have to be themselves. If you get any indication that the other party is putting on a show, I would run."

You may listen to a recording of the panel discussion here. IdeaMarketers.com has been helping talented professionals deliver their message to the online world since 1998. The site is a venue for getting the word out about your product, service or message via article marketing, press releases, book/ebook promotion and establishing online platforms for your expertise. For more information, contact Marnie Pehrson at webmaster@ideamarketers.com or 706-866-2295. Reach IdeaMarketers experts at here. Contact the author, Marnie Pehrson , at 706-866-2295
.