Being the victim in an abusive relationship can result in serious injury and psychological manipulation. Though physical abuse is most commonly associated with the problem, emotional and sexual abuse can also occur as part of the relationship. Identifying abusive relationship characteristics can help you or a friend determine whether it's time to end a dangerous relationship.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse, also called domestic violence, includes any actions that injure you or have the potential to injure you. Physically abusive actions include hitting, kicking, punching, slapping, scratching, pushing, burning, shaking, biting, pinching, choking and grabbing. Abuse can escalate over time, and injuries may become more serious and frequent. In some cases, abusers may kill or attempt to kill their victims. A physically abusive partner may chase you, restrain you or forcibly prevent you from leaving your home. Physical abuse can also include threats to harm you, your family members, coworkers or pets. Abusers may be charming and personable in public, yet quickly become violent when no witnesses are nearby.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is less obvious to outsiders than physical abuse, but it's just as damaging. Emotional abusers try to control every aspect of your life, denying you the right to see your friends, work outside the home or even have access to bank accounts or credit cards. If you are being emotionally abused, the abuser may be extremely critical of you and criticize your appearance, the clothing you wear and the words you say. Emotional abusers may try to verbally intimidate and humiliate you and may become very angry if questioned about their behavior. When confronted, abusers often try to make you feel that the controlling behavior and abuse is your fault. Emotional abuse involves chipping away at feelings of independence and self-worth, until you feel there is no way out of the relationship or your life is worthless without your abusive partner, according to HelpGuide.org.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves any non-consenting sexual act or behavior, according to the Domestic Abuse Project. Forced participation in unwanted, degrading or harmful sexual acts can be a part of the controlling behavior of an abuser. Sexual abusers don't respect your right to refuse sex. They may touch you when you don't want to be touched or make demeaning remarks about your body or past sexual history. Your abuser may insist that you are frigid if you don't want to participate in sex and may even attempt to have sex with you when you are sleeping. Romantic partners who abuse you sexually may have sex with other people and may seem to delight in telling you about these encounters.
Member Comments
slm6008 April 12
Iam in a abusive marriage and I know part of it is my fault, the last time my husband attacked me was last October, he tried to strangle me, I called the cops and got a domesticviolence order for protection. That lasted 6 months and it was for 2 years, I ended the order because he promised me he had changed, I felt sorry for him and let him come back home, now Iam starting to see the signs all over again. I should have known better i liked my life without him here eventhough I still loved him I really didn't want him back but I let him come back because he wouldn't leave me alone he kept calling everyday and coming over and he wasn't suppose to. But I felt bad for him eventhough my life was better without him being here now iam starting to have the same feelings I did last October, is he abusing alcohol, his temper tantrums, jealousy, money control, name calling,making me feel like his servant the signs are still there, and I blew it by letting him come back. I wish I knew why i let him control my feelings when really deep down inside I don't like it
BtBGlobal March 22
was with an abuser...b2 for one horrendous year of my life. It is sad to see that these men will continue destroying everyone around them. The worst part about it is they put on their best behavior until they have you trapped in a marriage, That is when they can gain better control by withholding everything from you. The list is endless with what they do to their mates. We all have the right to find a good man and be in a truly loving relationship. Let go of the abusive man so the door to a real man can open.