*********************************************************************************
Abusers control partners psychologically by instilling fear, which is often compounded by a victim’s sense of isolation. Methods of this type of abuse include threats of harm to the partner, their children or other loved ones, destruction of property, pathological lying, denying abuse and telling the victim that they are ‘crazy’, or telling others that the victim is crazy in an attempt to nullify any disclosures of the abuse. An angry demeanor, volatile temper, or persistently confrontational attitude are all forms of intimidation and are abusive. Abusive individuals often exhibit angry or confrontational body language, e.g., jutting out jaws, puffing up their chests, standing in one’s path, smashing things or pounding fists on tables or into walls, etc. This is absolutely terrifying when alone with someone who is much larger than you.
Abusers also try to limit the amount of time victims are away from home, which is time when the abuser does not have control over them. They may tell the victim they don’t want them to work or don’t like their friends. They may repeatedly say things like “All I need is you” to try to guilt a partner into spending more time with them instead of having a life outside the home.
Other ‘mind games’ include displaying weapons, threatening to commit suicide to get their way and forcing partners to be complicit in or silent about illegal behavior.
No comments:
Post a Comment