Recognising the signs of emotional abuse

There’s a growing awareness around the signs of coercive control and emotional abuse. In 2015, a new UK law was introduced to target perpetrators who submit partners, spouses, or other family members to serious psychological and emotional torment, but stop short of violence – and they can now face up to five years in prison.

However, while people are more aware of the issue, it often remains difficult for people trapped in toxic relationships to spot the warning signs.

These can include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Your partner constantly criticises, humiliates or belittles you

• Your partner checks up on you or follows you

• Your partner tries to keep you from seeing your friends or family

• Your partner has prevented you or made it hard for you to continue studying or going to work

• Your partner unjustly accuses you of flirting or having affairs with others

• Your partner has forced you to do something that you really did not want to do

• Your partner has deliberately destroyed any of your possessions

• You have changed your behaviour because you are afraid of what your partner might do or say to you

• Your partner controls your finances

• Your partner talks down to you

• Your partner has strong opinions on what you should wear and your appearance

• Your partner has tried to prevent you from leaving your house

• Your partner has forced you or harassed you into performing a sexual act

• Your partner has threatened to reveal or publish private information

• Your partner threatens to hurt him or herself if you leave them

• Your partner witholds medication from you

• Your partner makes you feel guilty all the time

• Your partner blames you for their bad moods and outbursts

• You are afraid of your partner

Emotional abuse, essentially, sees your partner bully and berate you as they slowly chip away at your self-esteem. To others, they may seem charming – but, behind closed doors, it’s a very different story. And, all the while, they work hard to cut you off from the people you love and who might be able to recognise your relationship for what it is; toxic.

If you are worried that you might be the victim of emotional abuse, it’s quite likely that you are. If these signs of an abusive relationship sound all too familiar to you, then get out of that situation as soon as possible.

If you have suffered from domestic abuse of any kind, contact Woman’s Aid here, or call the free National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247. You can also contact Refuge by clicking here.

Image: Getty

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