Relationship abuse is manipulative or abusive behavior towards an intimate partner. Relationship abuse can be physical or sexual, but it can also be financial, verbal, emotional and even academic. Aside from bodily harm, relationship abuse also has a profound impact on a victim's self-image as well as her view of others. All types of abuse are valid reasons to end a relationship, and all types of abuse deserve help. The National Domestic Abuse Hotline provides help and resources to people in abusive relationships and can be reached by phone at (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or online at ndvh.org.
Physical
Physical abuse is often the most easily recognized form of relationship or domestic abuse. According to the Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness, physical abuse includes hitting and kicking as well as holding a partner captive or locking a partner out of the house. Physical abuse is also the only type of abuse that is easily punishable by law. Self-defense is not considered relationship abuse because it's a response to violence and not indicative of controlling behavior.
Sexual
Rape is not the only type of sexual abuse. Other examples of sexual abuse include unwanted touching, withholding sex, controlling decisions about pregnancy or abortion or demanding sex after a violent incident. According to HelpGuide.org, between one half and one third of abused women are raped by their partner. If sex is forced, even if it's with someone who is normally a consensual partner, it is still considered sexual abuse.
Financial
Relationship abuse includes having tight control over a partner's finances. Financial abuse may also manifest as taking away credit cards or cash as well as forcing a partner or spouse to account for every penny spent and withholding basic necessities. Refusing to work could also be considered financial abuse depending on the circumstances.
Academic
Both teenagers and adults who are in school may experience abusive behavior by a partner. An abusive partner might attempt to sabotage his partner's academic success by interrupting during study time, monitoring her during classes or by making her feel guilty about spending time on homework instead of with him.
Emotional
Emotional abuse often does as much damage as physical abuse but also tends to go unnoticed by people outside the relationship. Some forms of emotional abuse are minimizing a partner's feelings, giving the silent treatment and criticizing or advising with the motive to control rather than to help. According to the University of Illinois Counseling Center at Urbana-Champaign, emotional abuse also includes intimidating, controlling or belittling. The damage of emotional abuse is due to the lasting effects on a victim's self-perception.
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