Advice please. My girlfriend always flinches when I raise my hand up to hug her or grab hers

She'll actually cower a little before she realizes what is actually happening.

Her past involves an abusive mother who broke her jaw and other parts and a big guy (prison record) re-broke it freshman year. Her boyfriend before me use to leave bruises and hurt her pretty bad and so she and him are done.

I love her and it kills me when I scare her. I would never hurt her.

How can I change this?

(I'm 17 and she's 16 until late June)

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SW-User

Just let her get used to your movements. In time she will realise she is safe with you.
Unfortunately there is not much else you can do but repetitively endorse your movements are safe.