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Recognize The Different Types Of Domestic Violence

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Domestic violence is always a reason to divorce. One common feature of abusive relationships is the abuser’s continuing promises that he or she will change and that the abuse will stop. If your partner tells you this, do not believe him or her – an abuser cannot change without extensive therapy. Do not wait for your partner to change. Get out and if he or she truly does reform through treatment, you can revisit creating a new relationship later.

Sometimes, domestic violence is difficult to recognize, especially when it is not physical abuse. Learn to recognize the various types of domestic violence listed below so you can recognize whether you are a victim.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse includes the following behaviors:

  • Criticism with no constructive elements or attempt to correct issues;
  • Belittling;
  • Calling the victim derogatory names;
  • Emotionally manipulating the victim into compliance; and
  • Making the victim feel he or she is not loved or that he or she has to “earn” love.

Forcing a victim to give up religious practices and beliefs that are important to him or her is known as spiritual abuse. This can be considered a subset of emotional abuse or even a form of psychological abuse when it causes the victim to suffer psychological trauma.

Psychological Abuse

Psychological abuse is similar to emotional abuse and often, they occur together. The difference between psychological and emotional abuse is that psychological abuse directly attacks the victim’s perceptions and makes him or her question whether the he or she is actually being abused. Examples include:

  • Socially isolating the victim;
  • Gaslighting the victim. This is the act of making the victim doubt his or her experiences; and
  • Excluding the victim from participating in important discussions and decisions.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is physical violence directed at a victim. It can include hitting, kicking, and other obvious types of violence. Other, less frequently discussed forms of physical abuse include:

  • Denying the victim access to food, water, or healthcare; and
  • Forcing the victim to take drugs or use alcohol against his or her will.

 Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is any sexually charged act done without the victim’s consent. It includes:

  • Unwanted touching;
  • Reproductive coercion;
  • Engaging in sexual intercourse without the victim’s consent;
  • Forcing the victim to engage in sexual acts he or she does not want to engage in; and
  • Creating pornographic images or videos of the victim without his or her consent.

Financial Abuse

Money can also be used to control a victim’s actions. This is known as financial abuse. Financial abuse can involve one or more of the following:

  • Prohibiting the victim from holding a job;
  • Sabotaging the victim’s efforts to find work or save money;
  • Stealing the victim’s money or personal information in an effort to access his or her money; and
  • Controlling all of the household’s funds without consulting with the victim.

Work with an Experienced Tampa Divorce Lawyer

When domestic violence is present in your marriage, you need to get out of the marriage. Staying in an abusive relationship can have many long-term emotional and psychological consequences for you, such as mental health difficulties and an increased risk of physical conditions like asthma and chronic pain. Work with an experienced Tampa divorce lawyer to exit your abusive marriage. Contact our team at Bubley & Bubley, P.A. today to schedule your initial consultation with us.

Resource:

psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hurt-people-hurt-people/201511/abusive-partners-can-change

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