The website All About Life Challenges notes that spousal abuse can be hard to define because there are many kinds that fall into different categories. Complicating the issue, of course, is that different people have different perceptions about what is considered abuse. Different types of abuse often occur at the same time and in the same marriage.
Expert Opinion
The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress states that domestic or spousal abuse occurs whenever one spouse engages in violence, intimidation, threats or restraint to control the other spouse. It can occur during the marriage, during separation and divorce, and in some cases even after.
History
In 1882, Maryland became the first state to pass legislation that made marital assault a crime. Popular sentiment cast women in the role of possessions prior to that time. Women were under the control of their husbands, according to the University of Texas at Austin. A popular religious theme of the Victorian era implied that women were only "good" if they obeyed their husbands. Spousal abuse was not recognized or defined. The concept of spousal abuse with husbands as victims would have seemed nonsensical at that time.
Types
Spousal abuse is not just physical. Humiliation and intimidation can be abusive as well, for instance, when your abuser destroys your possessions or hurts someone close to you to keep you in line. The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress also notes that abuse can include sexual abuse, stalking, economic abuse and spiritual abuse. If your spouse frequently turns up to check up on what you're doing, this is stalking, according to the Academy. If she controls family finances and barely gives you enough to meet expenses, this is economic abuse. Ridiculing your faith is an example of spiritual abuse.
Misconceptions
Victims sometimes believe that their situation does not meet an accepted definition of spousal abuse. They may think that what they're enduring isn't severe enough or doesn't happen often enough to qualify as abuse, according to HelpGuide.org. Even if what you are suffering doesn't not involve hitting, punching or slapping, it might still be abusive.
Potential
Obviously, if your spouse strikes you or hurts you and you have physical marks of the attack, law enforcement can easily recognize you as a victim and define your situation as one of spousal abuse. Physical abuse is considered a crime, and the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress says that police are obligated to take steps to protect you, including arrest. However, AllAboutLifeChallenges.org notes that society is becoming increasingly willing to accept other definitions of abuse, evidenced by the number of websites and organizations dedicated to offering help to victims.
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