Along the lines of the previous two postings, today's blog deals with emotional abuse which is largely overlooked but the damage and emotional/psychological wounding it causes is as profound as any other abuse. It is good to remember that not all abusive relationships involve physical violence, we cannot selectively detect abuse because of the physical wounds, scars and bruises we see.

Emotional abuse attacks a person's self worth and sense of independence. The abused person often feels that they are incapable of being on their own and making decisions for themselves, that they are of no value without their partner.

Emotional abuse will include such behaviours as yelling, name-calling, blaming, and shaming - verbal abuse. Emotional abusers isolate, intimidate and control those they abuse. They will often use threats of violence to intimidate and manipulate. The scars of emotional abuse are real and deep, and in some cases more damaging than physical abuse, especially where the abuse is not acknowledged as abusive behaviour and never dealt with.