Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, yet the problem is often overlooked, excused, or denied.
This is especially true when the abuse is psychological, rather than physical.
Noticing and acknowledging the signs of an abusive relationship is the first step to ending it.
No one should live in fear of the person they love. If you recognize yourself or someone you know in the following warnings/ signs and descriptions of abuse, reach out…. There is help available, talk to me.
UNDERSTANDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE.
Domestic abuse, also known as spousal abuse, occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person.
Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence.
Domestic violence and abuse are used for only one sole purpose; to gain and maintain total control over you.
An abuser doesn’t “play fair.” Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under his or her thumb. Your abuser may also threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you.
Domestic violence and abuse does not discriminate. While women are more commonly victimized, men are also abused; especially verbally and emotionally, although sometimes even physically as well.
The bottom line is that abusive behavior is never acceptable, whether it’s coming from a man, a woman, a teenager, or an older adult. You deserve to feel valued, respected, and safe.
RECOGNISING ABUSE IS THE FIRST STEP TO GETTING HELP.
Domestic abuse often escalates from threats and verbal abuse to violence. While physical injury may be the most obvious danger, emotional and psychological consequences of domestic abuse are also severe.
Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy your self-worth, lead to anxiety and depression, and make you feel helpless and alone.
No one should have to endure this kind of pain.
Your first step to breaking free is recognizing that your situation is abusive. Once you acknowledge the reality of the abusive situation, then you can get the help you need.
SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP.
There are many signs of an abusive relationship.
The MOST telling sign is fear of your partner. If you feel like you have to walk on eggshells around your partner, constantly watching what you say and do in order to avoid a blow-up, chances are that, your relationship is unhealthy and abusive.
OTHER signs that you may be in an abusive relationship include;
-a partner who belittles you or tries to control you,
-and feelings of self-loathing, helplessness, and desperation.
To determine whether your relationship is abusive, answer the questions below.
The more “yes” answers, the more likely it is that you’re in an abusive relationship.
Hence the SIGNS THAT YOU’RE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP are:
-Your Inner Thoughts and Feelings
-Your Partner’s Belittling Behavior
QUESTIONNAIRE TO DECIFER SIGNS THAT YOU’RE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Do you:
feel afraid of your partner much of the time?
Does your:
partner humiliate or yell at you?
avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner?
criticize you and put you down?
feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?
ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
blame you for their own abusive behavior?
feel emotionally numb or helpless?
see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
-Your Partner’s Violent Behavior or Threats.
-Your Partner’s Controlling Behavior
QUESTIONNAIRE TO DECIFER SIGNS THAT YOU’RE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Does your partner:
have a bad and unpredictable temper?
Does your partner:
act excessively jealous and possessive?
hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?
control where you go or what you do?
keep you from seeing your friends or family?
force you to have sex?
destroy your belongings?
constantly check up on you?
PHYSICAL ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
When people talk about domestic violence, they are often referring to the physical abuse of a spouse or intimate partner.
Physical abuse is the use of physical force against someone in a way that injures or endangers the life of the victim( I.e the spouse/ intimate partner in this case).
Physical assault or battery is a crime, whether it occurs inside or outside of the family.
The Police has the enormous power and authority to protect you from physical attack.
Sexual abuse is a form of physical abuse. Any situation in which you are forced to participate in unwanted, unsafe, or degrading sexual activity is sexual abuse.
Forced sex, even by a spouse is an act of aggression and violence. You have a legally enforceable right against any form of sexual assault! Remember, you, particularly the female gender, has a sexual and reproductive right..ensure you do not waive yours!
Finally, couples whose partners abuse physically and sexually, are at a higher risk of being grievously harmed, injured, or even killed as result of death caused by grievous bodily harm/ injury via domestic violence/physical/sexual abuse!
Hmmm… enlightened I guess…
Ensure you’re not consenting to that domestic violence/battery/ physical/sexual abuse by keeping silent!
Remember silence is implied consent! VOLUNTIA NON FIT INJURIA….(Consent vitiates injury)!
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Email address: loveandrelatefamily@gmail.com I care… LRF cares! Your welfare is our concern!Ambassador Utchay O.
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