Psychological And Emotional Abuse
Psychological and emotional abuse includes any act that provokes fear, diminishes the woman's dignity or sense of self-worth, and/or intentionally inflicts psychological trauma as a means of exerting power and control over the woman. These may include, but are not limited to, on-going criticism, intimidation, humiliation, overly sarcastic comments, passive/aggressive control, harassment, threats to harm self or others, threats to harm pets, threats associated with immigration status, threats to take children away, inappropriate expressions of jealousy, brainwashing, dominance, degradation, possessiveness, control over daily activities, social isolation, purposeful destruction of property and use of privilege in society to threaten or coerce.
Threats to:
- Turn people against you
- Leave the relationship
- See someone else
- Take children away from you
- Leave you short of money
- Cone after you if you leave
- Have you committed to an institution
- Hurt, kill you and/or the children
- Hurt or kill himself
- Blames you for his/her problems
- Drives your car in a frightening manner
- Have someone else kill you, your family, friends etc.
Anger and Intimidation:
- Changing his mood suddenly
- Giving the silent treatment
- Demonstrating anger
- Shouting or yelling
- Pounding fist on the table
- Hitting the wall
- Throwing or kicking something
- Stomping our of the room/house
- Says things to spite or insult you in front of others
- Puts down your physical appearance
- Makes out you are stupid
- Criticizes your care of the children or home
- Calls you names and swears at you
- Tells you that you are crazy or irrational
- Accuses you of having an affair
- Ridicules your family or friends
- Does not show concern for children's needs or concerns
- Gets angry when the children cry or make demands
- Goes through personal things. ie. purse, drawers, pockets
- Frightens children's friends so they stop coming over
