Forms of violence
Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects individuals, families, and communities. It can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects on survivors, and it can also have broader societal impacts, such as increased healthcare costs, lost productivity, and increased rates of crime.
A fear of your partner, feeling like you have to walk on eggshells around them, you are constantly watching what you say and do to avoid a blow-up.
Such signs may suggest that your relationship is unhealthy and abusive or that there is a risk of abuse in the relationship. Other signs include a partner who belittles you and/or tries to control you. Having feelings of self-loathing, helplessness, and desperation are also signs of an unhealthy relationship.
It's good to remember that in any relationship, there are disagreements and disputes every now and again, but they should not make you feel fearful.
The misconceptions of what are acceptable behaviours in relationships are due to the multiple forms of violence and the fact that the abuse is often subtle.
Giving the phenomenon names has helped recognise the problem and encouraged experiencers to talk about it, report it and get help.
Abuse comes in multiple forms
Violence can take various forms - physical, mental, sexual, economic, and digital abuse - to exert power and control over others. It can occur in any relationship, regardless of gender, ethnicity, social status, or education.
Recognising violence may be challenging initially. Often, they are not manifested purely in one form but a combination of many and manifest in multiple ways simultaneously. The list and introduction to different forms give you a starting point to understand them.
