Signs to help identify domestic violence

How to identify domestic violence

If you've ever asked yourself, "Are things okay in my relationship?" while trying to convince yourself that the answer is Yes, that in itself is a sign.

It's always hard to accept that your chosen partner is causing harm, especially when the beginning of the relationship feels like a fairy tale. And that's one of the reasons why so many women struggle with ending abusive relationships.

You might try to save relationships with violence for a long time - by keeping silent, forgiving, and enduring everything.

But unfortunately, this has an extremely negative impact on you in the long run. Your self-esteem deteriorates, anxiety increases, trust issues arise, social connections with other people are disrupted, and as a result of prolonged stress, numerous health problems arise.

First of all, you need to understand what is happening. Violence in relationships can be not only physical and does not necessarily leave bruises.

How to identify domestic violence (photo: Freepik)

Also distinguish:

• sexual (forcing into sexual actions)

• economic (control over finances, prohibition to work or study)

• psychological (manipulation, threats, gaslighting, stalking, isolation)

Is it considered violence if you argue? No, conflicts are normal in healthy relationships. But if in conflicts your partner repeatedly does not hear your arguments or needs, suddenly bursts out and shows aggression, starts manipulating to achieve the desired result, or starts insulting you to convince you of something - these are true signs of psychological violence.

Here are more examples of actions by a partner that should not be present in healthy relationships:

• refusing to hear your No, violating your boundaries, constantly being jealous
• taking out anger on the weaker
• reacting angrily to anything they dislike
• believing in stereotypical gender roles
• making decisions for you
• seeking to control your spending, movements, or interactions.

If you see familiar signs here, but they were isolated incidents, it's enough to discuss the situation with your partner. We are all human and capable of not acting in the best way under stress, psychological tension, or exhaustion.

Earlier, we discussed what breakup etiquette is and how it works.