Several forms of relationship abuse can take place between partners. Unfortunately, all forms of abuse can leave victims with scars- both physical and psychological. The abuse stems from a desire to control another person. Physical abuse involves acts of violence against a partner. Emotional abuse can take many forms but almost always creates feelings of the doubt for victims. It leaves them feeling powerless in the relationship. Financial abuse involves an abuser restricting money for a victim to make them more dependent on their abuser. And finally, sexual abuse happens when an abuser either forces unwanted sexual advances on a partner or withholds intimacy. All forms of abuse are damaging to victims, and if you are experiencing any of these, it’s important to get help.
Various Forms of Relationship Abuse and How to Get Help
Physical
Physical abuse is the form of relationship abuse that we most often think about. This form of abuse is meant to frighten victims by using physical harm. For example, the abuser might hit, punch, choke or use other means to hurt their victim. Sometimes abusers are careful to avoid leaving marks or scars. Or they make sure that injuries aren’t easily visible to others. By doing this, they can make it harder for others to realize what’s happening in their relationship.
Emotional
Emotional abuse is another form of relationship abuse that is, unfortunately, very common. It can take many forms, but it is a way for an abuser to harm their victim’s mental health. They might gaslight them into questioning their own emotions, question their every decision, or insult them. They might also threaten or try to control them. When victims feel like they doubt their own decisions, they can be less likely to seek out help. In addition, abusers often try to isolate their victims from friends and family so that their partners become reliant on them.
Financial
Relationship abuse can also take the form of financial abuse. This is a situation where an abuser can control their victim through financial means. For example, they might control all of the money and only let their partners have access to a tiny bit at a time. Or they might cut them off financially from the rest of the world so that they are dependent. Financial abuse can leave victims with absolutely no idea how to get away from their abuser because they do not have any resources.
Sexual
Finally, one form of relationship abuse that sometimes gets overlooked is sexual abuse. While this can be a form of physical abuse if the abuser forces their partner to have sex, it can also involve the withholding of affection. An abuser might use threats of sexual violence against their victim. Or they might refuse to engage in any sort of intimacy or affection until their victim does what they want.
Relationship abuse can take many different forms. However, it always is a way for an abuser to use fear to control their victim. They might engage in physical violence with them, emotionally damage their well-being, financially restrict them, or sexually abuse them. If you are in a relationship that involves abuse, you need to realize that it will not stop. Abusers do not change or stop abusing their victims. Victims need to create a plan to safely leave the relationship. Reach out to a supportive friend or family member to help you look into options near you for shelters or help for abuse victims. You can also reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline to find resources in your area that can help you get away. Leaving an abuser is the only way to protect yourself from the potential physical and psychological harm that they will inflict.
Several forms of relationship abuse can take place between partners. Unfortunately, all forms of abuse can leave victims with scars- both physical and psychological. The abuse stems from a desire to control another person. Physical abuse involves acts of violence against a partner. Emotional abuse can take many forms but almost always creates feelings of the doubt for victims. It leaves them feeling powerless in the relationship. Financial abuse involves an abuser restricting money for a victim to make them more dependent on their abuser. And finally, sexual abuse happens when an abuser either forces unwanted sexual advances on a partner or withholds intimacy. All forms of abuse are damaging to victims, and if you are experiencing any of these, it’s important to get help.
Various Forms of Relationship Abuse and How to Get Help
Physical
Physical abuse is the form of relationship abuse that we most often think about. This form of abuse is meant to frighten victims by using physical harm. For example, the abuser might hit, punch, choke or use other means to hurt their victim. Sometimes abusers are careful to avoid leaving marks or scars. Or they make sure that injuries aren’t easily visible to others. By doing this, they can make it harder for others to realize what’s happening in their relationship.
Emotional
Emotional abuse is another form of relationship abuse that is, unfortunately, very common. It can take many forms, but it is a way for an abuser to harm their victim’s mental health. They might gaslight them into questioning their own emotions, question their every decision, or insult them. They might also threaten or try to control them. When victims feel like they doubt their own decisions, they can be less likely to seek out help. In addition, abusers often try to isolate their victims from friends and family so that their partners become reliant on them.
Financial
Relationship abuse can also take the form of financial abuse. This is a situation where an abuser can control their victim through financial means. For example, they might control all of the money and only let their partners have access to a tiny bit at a time. Or they might cut them off financially from the rest of the world so that they are dependent. Financial abuse can leave victims with absolutely no idea how to get away from their abuser because they do not have any resources.
Sexual
Finally, one form of relationship abuse that sometimes gets overlooked is sexual abuse. While this can be a form of physical abuse if the abuser forces their partner to have sex, it can also involve the withholding of affection. An abuser might use threats of sexual violence against their victim. Or they might refuse to engage in any sort of intimacy or affection until their victim does what they want.
Relationship abuse can take many different forms. However, it always is a way for an abuser to use fear to control their victim. They might engage in physical violence with them, emotionally damage their well-being, financially restrict them, or sexually abuse them. If you are in a relationship that involves abuse, you need to realize that it will not stop. Abusers do not change or stop abusing their victims. Victims need to create a plan to safely leave the relationship. Reach out to a supportive friend or family member to help you look into options near you for shelters or help for abuse victims. You can also reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline to find resources in your area that can help you get away. Leaving an abuser is the only way to protect yourself from the potential physical and psychological harm that they will inflict.