| Not every abusive relationship is physical. Many | | | | to learn martial arts or learn self defense, because |
| people are the victims of emotional abuse, which is | | | | these activities can boost a person's self-esteem. |
| also destructive. However, because there are no | | | | Ways Abusers Try To Control Their Victims: |
| bruises and scars, many people tend to overlook the | | | | - Threatening the Victim: Abuser make a number of |
| effects of emotional abuse. Often even the person | | | | threats in order to control their partners. Some |
| being abused minimizes the severity of the situation. | | | | threaten to hurt or kill their partners, children, or |
| Emotional abusers control others by stripping them of | | | | friends and family members. Others may threaten to |
| their sense of self-worth. Victims of emotional abuse | | | | kill themselves if their partner leaves. And sometimes |
| might feel like they have no alternatives or that they | | | | they threaten to reveal damaging information, or |
| have no value without their abusive partner. For | | | | report their partner to child services. |
| these reasons, it can be difficult for people who are | | | | - Intimidating the Victim: By using intimidation, abusers |
| emotionally abused to escape from the damaging | | | | are able to scare their partners into doing what they |
| relationship. | | | | want. While they may never actually physically abuse |
| Emotional abusers use shame, fear, name-calling, and | | | | their partners or others, they might frequently |
| yelling to make their partners feel intimidated and to | | | | threaten to do so. |
| control them. Emotional abusers might even threaten | | | | - Blaming the Victim: Abusers always have a reason |
| harm or violence as a way of manipulating someone | | | | why they abuse. Frequently they will blame the |
| to give them want they want - complete control in | | | | victims for making them do it. They may also make |
| their relationship. | | | | excuses about their past childhood or blame it on a |
| Society tends to view emotional abuse as less | | | | bad day. According to emotional abusers, abuse is |
| severe that physical abuse because there are no | | | | never their fault. |
| broken bones or bruises to be seen. However, | | | | - Dominating the Victim: Abusers always want to feel |
| emotional abuse is scarring and can be very damaging | | | | like they are in charge. The people in their world can |
| psychologically. It can be difficult to overcome the | | | | be treated as possessions who exist solely to do |
| negative effects of emotional abuse, but one of the | | | | what they want. Questioning this authority often |
| best things victims can do is acknowledge the | | | | leads to tantrums and more abusive behavior. |
| problem and look for ways to feel empowered. | | | | - Humiliating and Isolating the Victim: The abusers goal |
| Gaining a sense of empowerment can come from a | | | | is to make the partner feel bad about himself or |
| variety of things. Having the courage to get a | | | | herself. In order to keep the person down, the |
| divorce or move out can help victims see that they | | | | abuser will often work to keep the victim isolated |
| are not helpless. Joining a counseling group or picking | | | | from family and friends. |
| a new hobby can be productive too. Others choose | | | | |