Violence Against Women - Types of Violence - Emotional and Verbal Abuse

Emotional and Verbal Abuse

"You're so stupid. You never do anything right!" If this sounds familiar, you may be a victim of emotional abuse.

Emotional and verbal abuse — attempts to isolate, threaten or intimidate — can harm you, even if you are not being abused physically. Moreover, emotional and verbal abuse often are a sign that physical abuse will follow.

If you're a victim of abuse or violence at the hands of someone you know or love, or you are recovering from an assault by a stranger, you are not alone.

To get immediate help and support
call the National Domestic Violence Hotline
at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

or the National Sexual Assault Hotline
at 1-800-656-4673.
You can also visit the
National Sexual Assault Online Hotline.

yelling

criticizing

name-calling

blaming you for everything

playing mind games or manipulating you

ordering you around

keeping you from spending time with friends and family

threatening to hurt you

No one deserves to be abused, physically or verbally.

Additional Information on Emotional and Verbal Abuse:

Publications

Overview of Alcohol Abuse and Violence Against Women - This fact sheet discusses the connection between alcohol abuse and violence. It also gives information on where to get help for a friend or family member who is abusing alcohol.

http://pathwayscourses.samhsa.gov/vawc/vawc_fs_01.htm

Are you Being Abused? (Copyright © ACOG) - This simple true-false quiz helps victims and those who care about them identify the signs of abuse. It encourages victims to seek assistance and gives helpful phone numbers to call.

http://www.acog.org/from_home/departments/dept_notice.cfm?recno=17&bulletin=198

Domestic Violence and Abuse: Types, Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Effects - Emotional and Verbal Abuse (Copyright © HelpGuide.org) - This fact sheet describes different types of abuse and how they can affect physical and mental health. The section on emotional and verbal abuse gives specific examples of signs that indicate emotional and verbal abuse in a relationship.

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effect...

Emotional Abuse (Copyright © TWC) - This article provides an overview of emotional abuse and gives examples of signs that you or someone you know may be a victim of domestic violence through emotional abuse.

http://www.thewomenscenter.org/content.asp?contentid=220

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated September 1, 2007.