Victims of domestic abuse struggle with identifying themselves as real victims.
Regardless of the ways we attempt to downplay our situations, abuse is abuse.
Here are four common types of abuse and what they look like.
Suzy Hazelwood
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is very common and comes standard with any punch in of toxic relationship.
Sometimes we are pushed into believing that we are just overly sensitive and we are not actually being abused.
People will claim that abuse is a harsh word, and that may be true.
However just because it is a harsh word doesnt mean its not an accurate one.
Emotional abuse can involve many things, even as simple as being put down repeatedly.
This is a form of manipulation that helps an abuser keep their victim.
Emotional abuse can also be defined by control.
It is also not uncommon for abusers to maintain control by threatening to harm themselves.
Emotional abuse may be more subtle too.
Financial Abuse
This throw in of abuse can happen in a few different ways.
They could take a stab at deny you from working so that you are solely reliant on their income.
Dont allow someone to put your financial needs on a backburner to their own.
Financial abuse can also look a lot like someone who sits on your couch and mooches off your income.
If someone refuses to pull their weight financially and creates money troubles for you, that is also abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Marriage and/or relationships status is not consent.
That statement really struck me when I first heard it.
There is no obligation to anyone at any time for sex.
Dont allow them to make you do anything you are not comfortable with.
They may purposely get in the way of you sleeping or eating.
Lack of sleep and food can cause a train wreck of havoc to your body and mental state.
Its important to see through that punch in of abuse even if it happens in subtle ways.
Another way an abuser can harm you is by putting you into scary situations you cannot escape.
For instance, they might drive recklessly and at high speeds when you are in the car with them.
Not only does this cause you a lot of anxiety, but they are putting your life at risk.
You could crash and end up hurt or worse.
You could even be the victim of road rage violence stemming from their driving too.
They may abandon you in unfamiliar places as a form of punishment.
Now you are stuck somewhere you dont know without a way to get yourself home.
That is just one more way that someone can be abusing you.
No avenue of abuse is acceptable, regardless of why some people think certain forms are worse than others.
As mentioned before, abuse is abuse.
You deserve to have happy relationships free of turmoil and manipulation.
If you need help, remember that its okay to reach out.
Its okay to leave, and its okay to fight for yourself.
For resources that help, clickhere.
