21 Apr Verbal Abuse
When we think of abusive relationships we typically think of physical abuse. Abusive relationships also occur in more subtle ways. Perhaps the most insidious of these is verbal abuse. In exploring this topic I sought the guidance of my heros at The Retreat, a domestic violence shelter located in the east end of Long Island, New York.
According to the seasoned professionals at the Retreat, verbal abuse occurs when one partner in an intimate relationship acts towards the other in the following ways:
- Yelling, swearing, using lewd language
- Constantly criticizing
- Using of pressure tactics to get his or her way
- Constantly interrupting
- Using economic coercion
- Claiming to be the ultimate authority of the truth
- Lying, or withholding truth
- Infidelity and/or using pornography
Just because abuse doesn’t manifest itself physically, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. If you feel you might be in an abusive relationship, trust your instincts and talk to someone. A great place to start is with a local domestic violence center in your community. They are there to serve you and welcome the opportunity to be of service.
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