You
may be in an abusive relationship if:
|
 |
you are
frightened by your partner's temper. |
|
you find
yourself being criticized for daily things, such as your cooking,
clothes, appearance. |
|
you are
humiliated or degraded by name calling, put-downs, accusations.
|
|
you have
been discouraged from seeing family or friends. |
|
your partner
makes frequent threats to withhold money, resources, take away
the children or have an affair |
|
you feel
isolated, alone, scared and/or trapped. |
|
you have
been kicked, hit, shoved, restrained, or had things thrown at
you. |
|
you have
been forced or pressured into having sex when you do not want
to. |
|
you have
been forced or pressured into doing things sexually that you
do not want to do. |
|
your possessions
have been destroyed by your partner |
|
your telephone
has been wrenched off the wall by your partner. |
| |
These
actions can leave you feeling
|
|
frightened |
|
degraded
|
|
unable
to make decisions |
|
trapped
|
|
If
you experience ANY of these in your relationship you are in
an abusive relationship.
Emotional
abuse IS abuse.
Often the psychological abuse can leave you fearful, helpless,
and powerless to act in your own behalf. Physical abuse often
starts with emotional abuse.
"But
I hit my partner back..."
Relationship abuse is generally NOT mutual. Relationship abuse
comes down to a dynamic of power and control in the relationship.
One person generally is trying to dominate the other. Thus
even in situations where an equal number of blows are exchanged,
the perpetration of abuse can be one-sided. There is a difference
in effect: the abuser's use of violence has the intention
and effect of intimidating, humiliating, or frightening their
partner. The abused person can strike back in self-defense
or in even in valid rage at the other person who attempts
to dominate them.
Nobody
deserves to be abused.
There is a way out.
Western
Isles Women's Aid
Can Help
Telephone
01851 704750
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