Abusive Relationships
Even though physical domestic abuse is considered the
most serious and tragic form an abusive relationship can take,
it is definitely not the only one. Abusive
relationships can consist of any kind of abuse or
miss-treatment. What you have to be aware of when
you are taking about relationship abuse is that
anyone has the right to be happy in a relationship.
Your partner must treat you with respect, respect your
right to privacy and autonomy, and allow you to
feel happy about who you are. There are
people in some abusive relationships that try to
physically control the person they are dating, even constant
insults are a form of abuse. What it comes down to is, the
abuse does not have to be physical, or even illegal.
Anything that makes you feel insignificant, controlled, or
dominated can be considered abuse.
The abuser usually wants to take
control and dominate in the abused. It generally
happens over a series of weeks and months. Is stars of
slowly, as the abuser continues to take more and more
control over the life of his victim. He may check up on
her frequently, come home from work early, or ignore his
friends altogether so he can stay home all the time. He
may be jealous and suspicious that she is sleeping
around on him, or hiding some other kind of
secret.
In abusive relationships, the abuse will
generally increases as the controlling behavior continues to
increase. As the abuser becomes more jealous and
controlling, the more he will feel justified in hurting the
target of his abuse. This can range from hurtful words to
outright physical violence, and sometimes even leads to death.
An abusive relationship isn't something that you can talk your
way out of either. Physical and emotional abuse is deadly
serious business.
The worst thing about abusive relationships is that
they can be so dangerous to end. Sometimes, the abuser will
simply say hurtful, terrible things to the abused she breaks up
with him, but other times it gets much worse. Abusers can
threaten, attack, and even kill their victims when the victims
tries to end it. Getting a restraining order and police
protection can help, but it doesn't always do the trick.
Sometimes, people have been killed by an ex-boyfriend who was
not even supposed to be within 30 feet of them. Finding your
way out of an abusive relationship can be one of the hardest
things you can do.
Fortunately, there are more resources for victims of abuse
than ever before. If you are in a bad relationship that you
think is abusive, there are a number of things you can do. You
can go down to your local battered women's shelter, talk to the
police, get a legal representative, or even do some research
online about relationship abuse. It still won't be easy, but
there are people out there who can help.
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