{
    "id": 2490,
    "date": "2021-05-18T17:16:41",
    "date_gmt": "2021-05-18T11:46:41",
    "guid": {
        "rendered": "http:\/\/emindit.com\/?page_id=2490"
    },
    "modified": "2023-11-06T18:39:49",
    "modified_gmt": "2023-11-06T13:09:49",
    "slug": "abuse-violance",
    "status": "publish",
    "type": "post",
    "link": "https:\/\/myemotionalfirstaid.org\/en\/abuse-violance\/",
    "title": {
        "rendered": "Abuse and Violence"
    },
    "content": {
        "rendered": "<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"2490\" class=\"elementor elementor-2490\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd2d242 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fd2d242\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f8763bc\" data-id=\"f8763bc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15fa8d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"15fa8d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 15-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abuse is defined as any action that intentionally harms or injures another person.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In short, someone who purposely harms another in any way is committing abuse.Yes, abuse is when one person intentionally hurts another, but that is a common occurrence in life and most of us are guilty of engaging in that from time to time. But what abuse really means is control. When a truly abusive situation exists, it\u2019s because one party is seeking to control the other through abuse. And while this might be an explanation of abuse, it\u2019s certainly no excuse. One person has no right to exercise control over another through abuse. Victims of abuse must know that the abuse is wrong and that the abuse is never their fault. Every person has the right to live an abuse-free life.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b>Domestic abuse<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, also called &#8220;domestic violence&#8221; or &#8220;intimate partner violence&#8221;, can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over a spouse\/boyfriend\/girlfriend . Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. Victims of domestic abuse may also include a child or other relative, or any other household member.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b>Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, faith or class<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Domestic abuse is typically manifested as a pattern of abusive behavior toward an intimate partner in a dating or family relationship, where the abuser exerts power and control over the victim.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Domestic abuse can be mental, physical, economic or sexual in nature. Incidents are rarely isolated, and usually escalate in frequency and severity. Domestic abuse may culminate in serious physical injury or death.<\/span><\/p><p>Are You Being Abused?<\/p><p>Look over the following questions to think about how you are being treated and how you treat your partner.<\/p><p>Recognizing the signs of domestic abuse<\/p><p><b>Does your partner\/spouse\u2026<\/b><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family?<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Put down your accomplishments?<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions?<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance?<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Tell you that you are nothing without them?<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Treat you roughly\u2014grab, push, pinch, shove or hit you?<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Call you several times a night or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be?<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you?<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Blame you for how they feel or act?<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Pressure you sexually for things you aren\u2019t ready for?<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Make you feel like there is \u201cno way out\u201d of the relationship?<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Prevent you from doing things you want \u2013 like spending time with friends or family?<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Try to keep you from leaving after a fight or leave you somewhere after a fight to \u201cteach you a lesson\u201d?<\/li><\/ul><p><b>Do you&#8230;<\/b><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><p>Sometimes feel scared of how your partner may behave?<\/p><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><p>Constantly make excuses to other people for your partner\u2019s behaviour?<\/p><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><p>Believe that you can help your partner change if only you changed something about yourself?<\/p><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><p>Try not to do anything that would cause conflict or make your partner angry?<\/p><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><p>Always do what your partner wants you to do instead of what you want?<\/p><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><p>Stay with your partner because you are afraid of what your partner would do if you broke up?<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>If any of these things are happening in your relationship, talk to someone. Without help, the abuse will continue. Making that first call to seek help is a courageous step.<\/p><p><b>Always remember\u00a0<\/b><b style=\"font-size: inherit; text-align: inherit; color: var( --e-global-color-627ab83 ); font-style: var(--fontStyle, inherit); letter-spacing: var(--letterSpacing); text-transform: var(--textTransform); text-decoration: var(--textDecoration);\">NO ONE deserves to be abused. The abuse is not your fault. You are not alone.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-06e9cb9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"06e9cb9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-754cf62\" data-id=\"754cf62\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba30b27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ba30b27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 15-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"654\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/myemotionalfirstaid.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/power-and-control-wheel.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-10260\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/myemotionalfirstaid.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/power-and-control-wheel.png 654w, https:\/\/myemotionalfirstaid.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/power-and-control-wheel-296x300.png 296w, https:\/\/myemotionalfirstaid.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/power-and-control-wheel-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-396b02d\" data-id=\"396b02d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fcb205 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7fcb205\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><b>Power and Control Wheel<\/b><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical and sexual assaults, or threats to commit them, are the most apparent forms of domestic abuse and violence and are usually the actions that allow others to become aware of the problem. However, regular use of other abusive behaviors by the abuser, when reinforced by one or more acts of physical violence, make up a larger system of abuse. Although physical assaults may occur only once or occasionally, they instill the fear of future violent attacks and allow the abuser to take control of the victim&#8217;s life and circumstance<\/span>s.<\/p><p><strong>The Power &amp; Control wheel is a particularly helpful tool in understanding the overall pattern of abusive and violent behaviors, which are used by an abuser to establish and maintain control over his\/her partner or any other victim in the household. Very often, one or more violent incidents may be accompanied by an array of these other types of abuse. They are less easily identified, yet firmly establish a pattern of intimidation and control in the relationship.<\/strong><\/p><p><b>Source:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theduluthmodel.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Duluth Model | Developed by Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, Duluth, MN\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2294762 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2294762\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Emotional abuse: <\/b>includes undermining a person&#8217;s sense of self-worth through constant criticism; belittling one&#8217;s abilities; name-calling or other verbal abuse; damaging a partner&#8217;s relationship with the children; or not letting a partner see friends and family. You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship if your partner:Y<\/span>ou are may be in an emotionally abusive relationship, if your partner&#8230;<\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calls you names, insults you or continually criticizes you.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does not trust you and acts in a jealous or possessive manner.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tries to isolate you from family or friends.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitors where you go, whom you call and with whom you spend your time.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does not want you to work.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Controls finances or refuses to share money.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Punishes you by withholding affection.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expects you to ask permission.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family or your pets.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Humiliates you in any way.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Psychological abuse: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">involves causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner or children; destruction of pets and property; \u201cmind games\u201d; or forcing isolation from friends, family, school and\/or work.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Financial or economic abuse:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> involves making or attempting to make a person financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding access to money, and\/or forbidding attendance at school\/college or work<\/span><\/p><p><b>Physical abuse: i<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nvolves hurting or trying to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, burning, grabbing, pinching, shoving, slapping, hair-pulling, biting, denying medical care or forcing alcohol and\/or drug use, or using other physical force. You may be in a physically abusive relationship if your partner:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Damages property when angry (throws objects, punches walls, kicks doors, etc.).<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pushes, slaps, bites, kicks or chokes you.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abandons you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scares you by driving recklessly.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uses a weapon to threaten or hurt you.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forces you to leave your home.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traps you in your home or keeps you from leaving.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prevents you from calling police or seeking medical attention.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hurts your children.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uses physical force in sexual situations.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Sexual abuse:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> involves forcing a partner to take part in a sex act when the partner does no<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">t consent. You may be in a sexually abusive relationship if your partner:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside relationships.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wants you to dress in a sexual way.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insults you in sexual ways or calls you sexual names.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Has ever forced or manipulated you into having sex or performing sexual acts.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Holds you down during sex.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Demands sex when you are sick, tired or after beating you.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hurts you with weapons or objects during sex.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Involves other people in sexual activities with you.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ignores your feelings regarding sex.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Stalking <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">involves any pattern of behavior that serves no legitimate purpose and is intended to harass, annoy, or terrorize the victim. Typical stalking activities include repeated telephone calls, unwelcome letters or gifts by mail, surveillance at work, home and other places that the victim is known to frequent. Stalking usually escalates.<\/span><\/p><p><b>What is sexual abuse<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Sexual abuse\u2019 is when you are forced or tricked into doing sexual things when you don\u2019t want to. Sexual assault is a form of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sexual violence<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and covers a wide range of unwanted sexual behaviours that can involve strangers or people you know. If you\u2019ve been sexually assaulted, remember it\u2019s not your fault and it\u2019s never okay for someone to force you to do something you are uncomfortable with.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It covers:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forced, unwanted sex or sexual acts.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Child sexual abuse: using power over a child to involve that child in sexual activity.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indecent assault like touching you inappropriately, making you take part in sexual acts without your consent<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might experience a range of emotions and it\u2019s important to know there are support services that can help you to move forward. If you are questioning whether you\u2019ve been sexually assaulted, trust your instinct and speak to a professional who can help, such as the non-judgmental counsellors\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h4><b>Sexual abuse is never your fault!<\/b><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual assault is something that has happened to you, it\u2019s not a result of who you are or something you did, like being drunk or dressing a certain way. Someone has chosen to behave badly toward you and to exert power and control over you. That is never your fault.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Sexual abuse is a form of trauma<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual assault is a form of trauma, and your response to trauma can show up in different ways. You may have memory flashbacks, which can take you physically back to that time and result in panic attacks. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder) <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can also be an outcome of sexual assault, and may include nightmares or intrusive thoughts and memories.<\/span><\/p><p><b>How sexual abuse might affect you?<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyone reacts differently to sexual assault. All of the following responses are normal:<\/span><\/p><p><b>1) Shock and denial: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might think, \u2018Did this really happen to me?\u2019 or \u2018Why me?\u2019, and feel unable to accept that it actually happened.<\/span><\/p><p><b>2) Fear: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might experience fear of the offender, of being alone, or of not being believed.<\/span><\/p><p><b>3) Silence: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might find that you\u2019re unable to talk about the assault, or to describe what it feels like to have been assaulted, out of fear of being judged.<\/span><\/p><p><b>4) Anxiety: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might feel unsafe or unable to relax.<\/span><\/p><p><b>5) Depression: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might feel sad, hopeless or down, or stop enjoying the things that you used to enjoy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b>6) Guilt and blame: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might ask yourself, \u2018Why did I go there\/allow it\/not fight back?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><b>7) Low self-esteem: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might lose self-confidence, and feel \u2018unworthy\u2019, ashamed or \u2018dirty\u2019.<\/span><\/p><p><b>8) Isolation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might want to be alone, and to isolate yourself from family and friends.<\/span><\/p><p><b>9) Nightmares and flashbacks: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might have images and memories of the assault intrude on your daily life and sleep.<\/span><\/p><p><b>10) Mood swings: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might find that your mood changes quickly from anger and rage, to tears and despair, and back again.<\/span><\/p><p><b>11) Loss of confidence: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might worry about your ability to do your work or study, or lack confidence with friends or your partner.<\/span><\/p><p><b>12) Loss of trust: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might find it hard to trust people in your social circle or family.<\/span><\/p><p><b>13) PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might experience a particular set of reactions such as reliving the traumatic event with intrusive thoughts or memories, or feeling emotionally numb.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b>14) Flashbacks\/memories: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might experience flashbacks or memories of the assault.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h4><b>What to do if you\u2019ve been sexually assaulted\/abused<\/b><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve been sexually assaulted, it\u2019s not something you have to live with on your own. Here are some things you can do straight away:<\/span><\/p><p><b>1) Ensure that you\u2019re safe<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re in immediate danger, or you\u2019re worried about your safety, contact emergency services on <a href=\"tel:100\" target=\"_blank\">100<\/a> immediately and try to get somewhere safe.<\/span><\/p><p><b>2) Talk to someone<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This can be tough, but is really important for your support and recovery. Find someone you can talk to, such as a friend or family member, or a professional like a doctor or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">counsellor <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or social<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> worker<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Contact <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an organisation in your state or territory<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that can give you relevant information on seeking help.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Get confidential help<\/b><\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call the confidential 24-hour <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childlineindia.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">childline india<\/a> support on <a href=\"tel:1098\" target=\"_blank\">1098\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/li><li><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ncw.nic.in\/helplines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Helplines for women in distress | National Commission for Women<\/a><\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><b>3) Get medical help<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve been sexually assaulted, it&#8217;s possible to get medical support. If you decide to, try to get to a hospital or health centre where they can give you appropriate medical care.<\/span><\/p><p><b>4) Consider contacting the police<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might find it hard to decide whether or not to report the sexual assault to the police. The most important thing is that you make the right decision for you. If you do decide to make a formal report, it\u2019s helpful to know that procedures have been put in place to support you and reduce distress. It can help to take a support person to the police station so you don\u2019t need to be on your own. You can also write down as much as you can remember about the sexual assault to help reduce stress at the time of reporting.<\/span><\/p><p><b>5) Trust yourself<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: inherit; text-align: inherit; color: var(--color); font-style: var(--fontStyle, inherit); letter-spacing: var(--letterSpacing); text-transform: var(--textTransform); text-decoration: var(--textDecoration);\">If someone has assaulted you, you may not feel confident about what to do next. Trust your instincts. Remember that it\u2019s never okay for someone to assault you for any reason.<\/span><\/p><h4><b style=\"color: var(--heading-color, var(--heading-4-color, var(--headings-color))); font-size: var(--fontSize); font-style: var(--fontStyle, inherit); letter-spacing: var(--letterSpacing); text-align: inherit; text-transform: var(--textTransform); text-decoration: var(--textDecoration);\">What is emotional abuse?<\/b><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emotional abuse can feel as destructive and damaging as physical abuse, and can severely impact your mental health. It\u2019s often used as a way to maintain power and control over someone.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emotional abuse may be accompanied by other kinds of abuse: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sexual<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">financial or physical<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, it doesn\u2019t need to include other kinds of abuse to count as abuse; it\u2019s serious enough on its own to be a concern.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Types of emotional abuse<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emotional abuse can involve any of the following:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Verbal abuse:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> yelling at you, insulting you or swearing at you.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rejection:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Constantly rejecting your thoughts, ideas and opinions.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Gaslighting: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">making you doubt your own feelings and thoughts, and even your sanity, by manipulating the truth.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Put-downs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> calling you names or telling you that you\u2019re stupid, publicly embarrassing you, blaming you for everything. Public humiliation is also a form of social abuse.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Causing fear:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> making you feel afraid, intimidated or threatened.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Isolation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> limiting your freedom of movement, stopping you from contacting other people (such as friends or family). It may also include stopping you from doing the things you normally do \u2013 social activities, sports, school or work. Isolating someone overlaps with social abuse.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Financial abuse:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> controlling or withholding your money, preventing you from working or studying, stealing from you. Financial abuse is another form of domestic violence.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Bullying and intimidation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purposely and repeatedly saying or doing things that are intended to hurt you.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><b>The impact of emotional abuse<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical violence is often seen as being more serious than emotional abuse, but this simply isn\u2019t true. The scars of emotional abuse are real and long-lasting. As well as having a negative impact on your self-esteem and confidence, emotional abuse can leave you feeling depressed, anxious or even suicidal.<\/span><\/p><h4><b>Getting support<\/b><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re experiencing emotional abuse, it\u2019s important that you seek help. There are a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">number of services<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you can contact if you need someone to talk to.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Domestic violence and what you can do about it<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for information on things to consider when dealing with domestic violence, including where to go to make sure you\u2019re safe, and the kinds of support you can access: legal, financial and medical.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most importantly, if you feel afraid or believe you might be in danger, contact the emergency services (<\/span><a href=\"tel:100\" target=\"_blank\"><b>100<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) immediately.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7fa0fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f7fa0fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 style=\"--fontfamily: 'Baloo 2', Sans-Serif; --fontweight: 700; --fontsize: 25px; --lineheight: 1.5; border-width: medium; border-style: none; text-align: start; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-transform: none; text-decoration: none;\"><b>Signs of an abusive relationship<\/b><\/h4><p style=\"margin-bottom: var(--content-spacing); border-width: medium; border-style: none; font-size: 18px; text-align: start; caret-color: #3a4f66; color: #3a4f66; font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not always obvious that you\u2019re in an abusive relationship. Learn some of the key signs to look for. It\u2019s common for someone who is being abused to believe that it\u2019s their own fault and that they somehow \u2018deserve\u2019 the abuse. It\u2019s important to know that you\u2019re\u00a0<i>never<\/i>\u00a0to blame for the way an abusive person treats you.<\/p><p><b>This can help if:<\/b><\/p><ul style=\"border-width: medium; border-style: none; font-size: 18px; text-align: start; caret-color: #3a4f66; color: #3a4f66; font-weight: 400;\"><li style=\"border-width: medium; border-style: none;\" aria-level=\"1\">your partner\/spouse\/boyfriend tries to control your behaviour<\/li><li style=\"border-width: medium; border-style: none;\" aria-level=\"1\">your partner\/spouse\/boyfriend threatens to harm you, your pets or people you love<\/li><li style=\"border-width: medium; border-style: none;\" aria-level=\"1\">you\u2019re scared of your partner\/spouse\/boyfriend.<\/li><\/ul><h4><b>Key signs of an abusive relationship<\/b><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An abusive relationship isn\u2019t just limited to physical violence. It can include sexual, emotional and physical abuse, and may involve control of your finances. Here are some signs to look for.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Possessiveness<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They check on you all the time to see where you are, what you&#8217;re doing and who you&#8217;re with.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They try to control where you go and who you see, and get angry if you don&#8217;t do what they say.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Jealousy<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They accuse you of being unfaithful or of flirting.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They isolate you from family and friends, often by behaving rudely to them.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Put-downs<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They put you down, either publicly or privately, by attacking your intelligence, looks, mental health or capabilities.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They constantly compare you unfavourably to others.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They blame you for all the problems in your relationship, and for their violent outbursts.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They say things like, &#8216;No one else will want you.&#8217;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Threats<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They yell or sulk, and deliberately break things that you value.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They threaten to use violence against you, your family, friends or a pet.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Physical and sexual violence<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They push, shove, hit or grab you, or make you have sex or do things you don&#8217;t want to do.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They harm you, your pets or your family members.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h4><b>Things you might feel in an abusive relationship<\/b><\/h4><p><b>&#8216;My partner isn\u2019t violent all the time \u2013 they love me&#8217;<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your violent partner may act loving towards you at other times and may truly feel sorry for their horrible behaviour. So, it might be hard to stay angry and upset with them. However, there is quite a high chance that their violent behaviour will continue. Abusers can be incredibly charming people, especially if they\u2019re trying to make you or others see them in a good light.<\/span><\/p><p><b>&#8216;Things will get better \u2013 they didn&#8217;t mean it&#8217;<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a violent episode, it&#8217;s common for both you and your abuser to try and downplay what happened with excuses, apologies or promises to change. Things might settle down for a bit, but it\u2019s often only a matter of time before it happens again. It&#8217;s very difficult to eradicate physical abuse in relationships, and any abusive behaviour, without professional help.<\/span><\/p><p><b>&#8216;It&#8217;s so confusing \u2013 I&#8217;m sure it&#8217;s a one-off&#8217;<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re experiencing abuse, things can feel really confusing, especially if it&#8217;s your first relationship. You might not be sure what to expect next. Abusers often try to influence your sense of what\u2019s real, to make you feel confused or even that you\u2019re going crazy. (This is known as \u2018gaslighting\u2019.) Statistically, though, if someone behaves violently once, they\u2019re very likely to do it again.<\/span><\/p><p><b>&#8216;Maybe it&#8217;s <\/b><b><i>my<\/i><\/b><b> fault&#8217;<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may begin to think that you\u2019re to blame for your partner\u2019s abusive behaviour. An abuser may excuse their behaviour by saying something like, &#8216;It wouldn&#8217;t have happened if you hadn\u2019t\u2026&#8217; The truth is that no matter what you do, another person\u2019s abusive behaviour is never your fault.<\/span><\/p><p><b>&#8216;I&#8217;m scared of what will happen if I leave them&#8217;<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not unusual to feel afraid of leaving the person who\u2019s abusing you. You might feel unsafe, or scared of what the person might do to you or themselves. You might also feel that you aren\u2019t capable of making it on your own. It\u2019s important to remember that <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">there are people who can help<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you every step of the way.<\/span><\/p><p><b>REACH OUT FOR HELP:<\/b><\/p><p><b>Domestic Abuse (National): <a href=\"tel:181\" target=\"_blank\">181<\/a><\/b><\/p><p><b>Women Police Helpline: <a href=\"tel:1091\" target=\"_blank\">1091<\/a><\/b><\/p><p><b>Nari Samta manch, Pune: <a href=\"tel:9987720696\">9987720696<\/a><\/b><\/p><p><b>Swayam,Kolkata: <a href=\"tel:9830747030\">9830747030<\/a><\/b><\/p><p><b>Cehat, Mumbai: <a href=\"tel:9029073154\">9029073154<\/a><\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>",
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        "rendered": "<p>Abuse is defined as any action that intentionally harms or injures another person. In short, someone who purposely harms another in any way is committing abuse.Yes, abuse is when one person intentionally hurts another, but that is a common occurrence in life and most of us are guilty of engaging in that from time to [&hellip;]<\/p>",
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