A friend of mine (and no, it's NOT me), is emerging from an emotionally abusive relationship. Needless to say, she is devastated, humiliated, and exhausted.

Her questions to me are, Why was I such an easy target? How did he smell "potential victim" on me? How can I recognize that tendency in a man BEFORE I get involved with him?

She asked me if I knew of a book or books that not only define and describe emotional abuse (the basic info is everywhere) but how to avoid it in the first place. Are there red flags that should go up on the first date, or even before? Are there behaviors/signals that she is unwittingly giving?

She's afraid that her inheritent character traits (kindness, compassion, a giving spirit) make her a "sucker" for guys like that. But she doesn't really want to change those things about herself...

I thought I'd start here first and see if any of you have knowledge of good materials or organizations' websites? She's trying to pick up the pieces, and figure out how to see the next one coming!!