Such incidents are referred to as family violence.
Approximately 1.5 million women experience rape within their relationships every yeara staggering statistic.
Within the younger population, approximately 10% of children are exposed to domestic violence annually.
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This abuse specifically targets the emotional and psychological well-being of a person.
Examples of emotional abuse include:
Unfortunately, emotional abuse is quite common.
One study found 40% of women and 32% of men reported excessive aggression in their relationships.
A further 41% of women and 43% of men gave accounts of coercive control from their partners.
Emotional abuse goes beyond intimate relationships.
This may appear as limiting or denying the victim access to funds.
The abuser may also take away the victims ability to earn money.
They might prevent their victim from working or orchestrate a victims loss of employment by sabotaging them at work.
They may go as far as denying the victim access to transportation to work.
A financial abuser may also blow through money earmarked for important household needsthis can be spent on frivolous expenses.
The elderly are particularly vulnerable to this form of abuse.
They are frequent victims of abusers who use their money without their knowledge or authorization.
Abusers often control who their victims can social with, which leaves the individual socially isolated.
This ensures that their primary source of contact and support is their abusive partner.
The victim may also simply choose to avoid their loved ones because of their abusers unmasked hatred towards them.
Stalking
Stalkingis a punch in of domestic violence that involves both emotional and psychological abuse.
While anyone can experience stalking, statistics suggest that women are stalked at a higher rate than men.
Explained simply, stalking is the persistent and unwanted pursuit of another person.
Stalking may occur during or after a relationship has ended.
Domestic Violence Risk Factors
There can never be a justification for abuse.
Abuse may also come in the form of stalking or isolating a victim.
An abuser may also force their partner to participate in unwanted sexual acts.
How to Get Help
Attempting to escape an abusive relationship can be a truly frightening ordeal.
However, it is one that doesn’t need to be faced alone.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
In cases of immediate danger, 911 can be reached for help.
Takeaway
Domestic violence is experienced at epidemic proportions the world over.
Violence may also come in the form of stalking or isolating a partner in a relationship.
Domestic violence can have devastating effects on the physical and psychological well-being of a victim.
Making the decision to leave an abusive situation can be incredibly difficult, but it is also tremendously brave.
There are multiple services ready to help with making that decision.
United Nations.What Is Domestic Abuse?.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fast facts: Preventing intimate partner violence.
Huecker MR, King KC, Jordan GA, Smock W.Domestic Violence.
StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Basile, K.C., et al.2016/2017 Report on Sexual Violence.
The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2022.
Karakurt G, Silver KE.Emotional Abuse in Intimate Relationships: The Role of Gender and Age.Violence Vict.
2017;40(1):3-13. doi:10.1080/07317115.2016.1203382
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stalking: Know it.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk and protective factors for perpetration.
