Psychological Abuse:

Psychological abuse is any threat to do bodily harm to a partner, a child, a family member,

friends, pets, or one's self (suicide). Psychological abuse involves not only hurt and anger, but also fear and degradation. The purpose of psychological abuse is to render you emotionally insecure about your own self-worth and to render you helpless and/or not able to escape further physical, sexual and/or psychological abuse. By humiliating and belittling an individual the abuser breaks down the victim’s self esteem and sense of self and is then able to control them by making them feel inferior.  The victim may feel as though no one else will ever love them or want them and therefore feel compelled to stay in the abusive relationship

 

Examples include your partner:

v   Name calling

v   Threatening to punch, hit, slap or kick

v   Threatening to use a weapon

v   Threatening to harm him/her-self if you leave

v   Threatening to punish children to "get back" at you

v   Threatening to harm pets

v   Throwing objects in your direction

v   Vague threats such as: "You're going to get it," or "I'm really going to let you have it"

v   Harming a pet to "get back" at you

v   Smashing and breaking things

v   Throwing objects around the room

v   Punching walls, slamming doors

v   Hiding, stealing or destroying your possessions

v   Sabotaging your car

v   Any emotional abuse which in the past was a prelude to physical or sexual abuse