Was my friend abused?

[Yer_Maw]

I have a friend who normally hugs me when we meet and normally gets really close when we're talking but lately she's been keeping her distance and freaks out when i touch her and is never happy and I'm getting worried and when I ask her about her family she immediately gets off the topic and I'm wondering if one of her family members is abusing her. I'm too shy to ask her. Anyone know?

[CuriousDestruction]

that might be abuse, but there's no way to tell for sure from here. You can ask her yourself or if you really want to you can tell a trusted adult or teacher who can use other measures to investigate and find out.

[StoppingTime]

It is always better to be safe than sorry, so if you feel like you can talk to her, than try.
Also, get a trusted adult involved just to make sure there really isn't anything going on.

Sure, it may be nothing, but you wouldn't want to take that chance.

[KTluv95]

Sometimes its hard to tell what compels people to get really nervous with some subjects...I've had people get uncomfortable with talking about their family due to something as little as their parents getting a speeding ticket to as much as a recent loss in the family...as for the touch thing maybe your friend got a really bad sunburn?

[Sleepwalking]

Its good you've noticed the change in her. It could be something serious, or nothing at all.
If you are close to her, ask her about it. I'm sure she'll understand that you care about her. You could get an adult to inquire about it if you were unsure of how to approach it.

[Thunduhbuhlt]

Adding onto previous posts:

If in fact she is being abused, you really need to do something to stop. Call social services or the police or something and get her out of that harmful environment. Nobody deserves to be tortured and deal with the physical and emotional distress that occurs because of it.

[kklondike]

I think it's very possible or at least something happened to her. I'd talk to her in private about it. U should do dat before telling an adult tho becuz
1 there may not be a problem
2 she RLLY doesn't want others to kno becuz it won't help and she just wants u to kno
3 there is a misunderstanding.
Good luck!

[JJSSHH]

There is always the possibility of something happening. try sitting down with her and having a talk. When you do this be very supportive and dont accuse anything, because if its not the case she may be upset that you might assume that. Good luck :)

[Toto]

Does she have any siblings you could ask? It may be an awkward topic to bring up with them, but if your friend keeps avoiding the question, asking their brother/sister may get you some information.