Behaviors of an Abusive Partner

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Intimate relationships are complex.  Each partner brings something different to the table, and disagreements are part-and-parcel when two unique individuals work to carve out a life together.  Most of the time both partners feel understood, respected and loved for who they are, and in addition to enjoying time together, they are free to have friends, interests and activities outside of the relationship.  This is the type of couplehood to strive for.

This is not always the case for every couple, unfortunately.  When both partners are insecure about themselves and their abilities, fear is a common by-product.  One partner exhibits fear by being the dominant ruler; the other becomes the target of the abuse.

An interesting fact to consider about couples is--depending on their home lives as children and past relationship experiences--they can misinterpret abusive behavior as ways in which to show love.  In these cases, it's the "norm," and what they're accustomed to.

We can change that skewed mindset.  Below is a list of how abusive partners behave to manipulate and exert power over the person they claim to love most in the world. 

• Dominance:  Abusive individuals need to feel in charge of the relationship. They will make decisions for you and the family, tell you what to do, and expect you to obey without question. Your abuser may treat you like a servant, child, or even as his or her possession.

• Humiliation:  An abuser will do everything he or she can to make you feel bad about yourself or defective in some way. After all, if you believe you're worthless and that no one else will want you, you're less likely to leave. Insults, name-calling, shaming, and public put-downs are all weapons of abuse designed to erode your self-esteem and make you feel powerless.

  

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• Isolation:  In order to increase your dependence on him or her, an abusive partner will cut you off from the outside world. He or she may keep you from seeing family or friends, or even prevent you from going to work or school. You may have to ask permission to do anything, go anywhere, or see anyone.
• Threats:  Abusers commonly use threats to keep their partners from leaving or to scare them into dropping charges. Your abuser may threaten to hurt or kill you, your children, other family members, or even pets. He or she may also threaten to commit suicide, file false charges against you, or report you to child services.
• Intimidation:  Your abuser may use a variety of intimidation tactics designed to scare you into submission. Such tactics include making threatening looks or gestures, smashing things in front of you, destroying property, hurting your pets, or putting weapons on display. The clear message is that if you don't obey, there will be violent consequences.

  

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• Denial and blame:  Abusers are very good at making excuses for the inexcusable. They will blame their abusive and violent behavior on a bad childhood, a bad day, alcohol, and even on the victims of their abuse. Your abusive partner may minimize the abuse or deny that it occurred. He or she will commonly shift the responsibility on to you: Somehow, his or her violent and abusive behavior is your fault.

Are these things happening in your relationship?  Are they happening to a friend or family member?  No one deserves to live like this.  

There is help.  

In the Capital District of New York State, call the 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline at (518) 374-3386.

National Domestic Violence Hotline:  (800) 799-SAFE (7233)

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

(c) Copyright 2014 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm

(c) Copyright 2014 Robyn M. King. All Rights Reserved.