The home is where the heart is. That is the common saying. We find peace in our home not because of the comfort of the house but because of the comfort from our family. Wherever we go, wherever place our lives will lead us, we always sought for the comfort of our home. It is the only place where we feel safe.

However, this is not the case for everyone. Many have been victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence or intimate partner violence (IPV) is “described as the power misused by one adult in a relationship through violence to control another” (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2008). The perpetrator or the abuser, with the use of violence and other forms of abuse, establish control and fear in a relationship. This violence encompasses not only physical abuse but also include social, financial, sexual, and psychological abuse.

Some may have not recognized these forms of abuse. Take note of the following abuse and how it occurs in order to stop them.

When a partner is financially deprived by his/her partner, that is considered as financial abuse. It is one form of abuse that the abusers use to gain control and power over the relationship. This may take place through withholding money or credit cards of the victim, withholding basic necessities, preventing from working, unauthorized use of the victim’s property, and many situations where the victim cannot support him/herself financially which force him/her to depend on the abuser.

Social abuse is one of the forms of abuse which are hardly recognizable by most. This occurs when the spouse limits the other’s social activities or coercion of the victim in a public setting. As a form of control and power, the abuser publicly humiliates or mistreated the victim or prevents the latter from contacting his/her friends, relatives, service providers, and other people.

Sexual abuse, on the other hand, is when a partner forces his/her spouse to engage in sex when the spouse has clearly and strongly refuse to do so. This is definitely not different from rape. Despite being married, if the partner coerces the other to have sex with him/her, that is a form of sexual abuse or rape.

Psychological abuse is as devastating as physical abuse, or even worse. This could take form in terms of verbal threat, insults, degrading the victim, yelling, swearing, and other acts which can result in psychological trauma. This primarily affects the victim’s self-esteem. The victim may not feel safe anymore even in his/her own home, feel uncertain about the world, or do not have the confidence to do anything he/she wanted to do. As a whole, the person feels alone and can develop learned helplessness.

It is possible that a partner may not be aware that he/she experience some form of abuse. Recognizing that an act is an abuse is one way to stop them. If you experience one of the described abuses mentioned above, it is better to seek help immediately.

No one deserves to be abused. Everyone has the right to live freely, happily, and safe. If you are a victim of abuse or know anyone involved, you can ask Attorney Mellany Marquez-Kelly for help. With her successful experience with domestic violence matters, she will make sure that you get the justice you deserve. Call Marquez-Kelly Law in Cape Coral and Fort Myers, FL at 239-214-0403. Or visit our site at https://www.marquezkellylaw.com/.

Sources:
Kaur, R., & Garg, S. (2008, April). Addressing Domestic Violence Against Women: An Unfinished Agenda.
Tracy, N. (2016). Psychological Abuse: Definition, Signs and Symptoms - Emotional-Psychological Abuse - Abuse.