Domestic Violence is More than Physical Violence

Emotional (or psychological) abuse involves any verbal or non-verbal behavior that negatively impacts another person's emotional or psychological well-being. Often, emotional abuse involves:

• Continual criticism, name-calling, and shouting.
• Insults and the alienation of friends and family.
• Humiliation in public and/or private places.
• Preventing work, controlling finances, and doing all the decision-making.
• Refusal to work for or share money.
• Taking car keys, money, or other personal property without permission.
• Regular threats of leaving or forcing you to leave.
• Threats of kidnapping children and/or killing family pets.
• Manipulation using lies and contradictions.
• Behaving in threatening manners, including body language and facial expressions.
• Refusal (or insistence on being the only person) to socialize with you.
• Ignores your feelings, thoughts, or statements.
• Threatening to harm themselves or commit suicide.

Am I Emotionally or Verbally Abused?

People who are abused often:

• Wonder if they are 'crazy'.
  
• Are afraid to voice feelings or opinions.
• Are afraid of catching their partner in 'a bad mood'.
• Fear socializing and being with other people.
• Have feelings of powerlessness, worthlessness, and depression.
• Notice negative changes to the behavior of children in the home. (i.e. withdrawn, aggressive, plummeting grades, moodiness, etc.)
• Feel trapped in their home, situation, or relationships.