Any type of abuse is not only illegal but also absolutely unnecessary, as nothing good ever comes from any type of abuse or aggression. However, sometimes it’s difficult to understand exactly what counts as domestic violence. So let’s start at the beginning.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic/dating violence occurs when one person gains and maintains power and control over another person in an intimate relationship. It is a pattern of behavior in which one intimate partner controls and changes the behavior of the other partner through physical violence, coercion, threats, intimidation, isolation, and emotional, sexual, economic, or other forms of abuse. The abusive person could be your current or former spouse, live-in lover, dating partner, or another person with whom you are involved. When the abusive person is a dating partner, the abusive behavior pattern may be referred to as dating violence rather than domestic violence.
Check out the “Power and Control Wheel” to get a better understanding of how an abuser can use power and control over a victim.
Can Domestic Violence Happen To Anyone?
Domestic and dating violence affects people of all ages, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and religions. It can happen in both same-sex and opposite-sex relationships. Gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation do not preclude a person from being a victim of domestic violence or an abuser. Domestic violence/dating violence can be committed by anyone, regardless of economic or professional status; abusers and victims can be laborers or college professors, judges or janitors, doctors or orderlies, teachers, truck drivers, homemakers, or store clerks. Domestic violence/dating violence occurs in poor neighborhoods, affluent neighborhoods, and white-picket-fence neighborhoods.
What Is Psychological And Emotional Abuse?
There are many different types of abuse. Abuse of language, even when there is no physical contact, can be very harmful to you and your children. Most of the time, emotional and psychological abuse consists of non-physical actions taken by the abuser to terrorize, isolate, or control the victim. The abuser frequently uses it to undermine your sense of worth and self-esteem in an effort to make you psychologically dependent on them. Because it permeates your daily interactions, emotional and psychological abuse can be difficult to spot. Contrary to physical abuse, there are frequently no isolated incidents or tangible proof to support it.
What are the symptoms of psychological and emotional abuse?
In your relationship, emotional and psychological abuse may start out abruptly or gradually. Some abusers exhibit good partner behavior in the beginning of the relationship before beginning the abuse later on. You may experience shock, confusion, and even embarrassment when this change in behavior takes place. However, even if the abuser claims it’s your fault or if your family or friends accuse you of “allowing” the abuse, it’s never your fault. It can be challenging to determine whether certain actions constitute emotional or psychological abuse, especially if you experienced abuse as a child.
Is Emotional And Psychological Abuse Domestic Violence?
In short, YES! The behavior, like all other forms of domestic violence, is intended to gain and maintain power and control over you. Some indicators that a partner is emotionally and psychologically abusive are:
- Humiliating you in public; calling you insulting names like “stupid,” “disgusting,” or “worthless”;
- Becoming enraged
- Threatening to harm you, others you care about, or your pet
- When the abuser is upset with you, he or she may threaten to harm himself or herself.
- Saying things like: “If I can’t have you, then no one can,”
- Deciding for you what you should decide, such as what to wear or eat
- Acting jealous, including accusing you of cheating on a regular basis, making your needs or feelings appear unimportant or less important than those of others
What Should I Do if I’m Being Abused Emotionally And Psychologically?
If you have experienced emotional or psychological abuse, you might be reluctant to reach out for assistance or to tell your friends and family about it for fear that they won’t accept you seriously. You might experience guilt or be perplexed by the situation. To end a relationship that is emotionally or psychologically abusive, though, you must seek help and support. The consequences of this kind of abuse are severe, and it is frequent for emotional and psychological abuse to turn into violent physical abuse.
If you need expert legal help, call (949) 726-6000. An experienced attorney at Marley Law Firm can help you stop being afraid and regain control of your life through legal counsel.
