2. Is Emotional Abuse Really Abuse?
A relationship can be abusive without physical violence
Can lead to physical violence
Cumulative abuse
Becomes normalized
No physical damage, but mental scarring and pain
Low self-esteem and self-worth
3. What is Emotional and Psychological
Abuse?
Dominating
Blackmail
Minimizing/Invalidation
Verbal Assaults
4. Financial Abuse and Economic Control
Used to gain control and power in the relationship
Subtle or Overt
One of the most powerful methods of trapping a person
Used in 98% of abusive relationships
Maintain control once the woman leaves
Expensive and lengthy litigation
Filing repetitive, expensive, and frivolous petitions and motions
5. Mental Health Impact of Emotional Abuse
Significant effect on mental health:
54% to 84% suffer from PTSD
63% to 77% experience depression
38% to 75% experience anxiety
Low self-esteem
Major personality changes
7. Preventing Abuse: Know the Signs
Verbal abuse such as:
Name calling
Yelling
Blaming
Shaming
Isolation and controlling behaviors are also signs of emotional abuse
Emotional abuse can actually be far worse then physical abuse. The scars
of physical abuse will fade away eventually, but the scars of an emotional
abuse may run deeply and will never fade
8. Resources for help:
Someone you trust
i.e. a friend or family member
The National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233)
You can call this hotline to refer you to all kinds of resources for help
Health care provider
These providers can treat your injuries and direct you to other
resources
Counseling or mental health centers
These centers can give you that support you need through women who
have also been through an abusive relationship
9. References
EQI. (2013). Emotional abuse. Retrieved from: http://eqi.org/eabuse1.htm
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (2015). Trauma, mental health, and domestic violence.
Retrieved from: http://www.fcadv.org/projects-programs/trauma-mental-health-domestic-violence
Help Guide. (2015). Domestic violence and abuse: Signs of abuse and abusive relationships. Retrieved
from: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence-and-abuse.htm
Loveisrespect. (2013). Relationship spectrum. Retrieved from:
http://www.loveisrespect.org/spectrum/relationship-spectrum.pdf
Loveisrespect. (2013). Types of abuse. Retrieved from: http://www.loveisrespect.org/is-this-abuse/types-of-
abuse/#tab-id-2
Mayo Clinic. (2014). Healthy lifestyle: Adult health. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-
lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/domestic-violence/art-20048397?pg=2
National Network to End Domestic Violence. (2015). About financial abuse. Retrieved from:
http://nnedv.org/resources/ejresources/about-financial-abuse.html
