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When most people hear the term “domestic violence,” images of physically battered victims tend to come to mind. However, domestic violence encompasses much more than just bruises and broken bones, there is also mental and emotional abuse. Is mental and emotional abuse considered a crime?

What is Mental and Emotional Abuse?

Any action meant to assert power and control over an intimate partner through fear and intimidation should be considered abuse. This includes emotional, psychological, and financial forms of abuse that leave no visible scars.

So what exactly do we mean when we talk about mental or emotional abuse in relationships? There is some debate around definitions, but generally, they involve attempts to undermine and manipulate a partner.

Psychological abuse, also called mental abuse, refers to behaviours that try to distort a victim’s sense of reality and independence over time. A common tactic is gaslighting, where an abuser deliberately misleads someone to make them doubt their memory or perception of events.

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Is Mental Abuse a Crime?

While laws and definitions may vary, mental and emotional abuse is considered a crime in many jurisdictions. Especially in intimate relationships, given sufficiently coercive, threatening or distressing behaviours by the abuser.

Emotional abuse involves a wider range of controlling behaviours aimed at diminishing a person’s self-worth and autonomy.

This can include intimidation, humiliation, excessive monitoring of activities, isolation from friends and family, threats to physically harm the victim or loved ones, and other degradation meant to instil fear.

The goal is to chip away at confidence to maintain power in the relationship. Both psychological and emotional abuse are about exerting dominance through manipulation rather than physical force.

The Serious Impacts of Non-Physical Abuse

While leaving no bruises, emotional and mental abuse can still severely traumatise victims, especially with long-term exposure. Research shows such abuse may be even more prevalent than physical intimate partner violence.

One study found that around two-thirds of abusive partners engaged in psychological abuse, compared to about half who were physically violent.

Prolonged abuse takes a serious toll on both physical and mental health. Victims often suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other issues at much higher rates than non-abused individuals.

They may constantly feel on edge as a result of living with threats and intimidation tactics. Over the long run, this chronic stress can negatively impact the immune, cardiovascular, digestive and other bodily systems.

Barriers to Seeking Help and Support

A key issue surrounding emotional and psychological abuse is that the damage done is largely invisible.

Without noticeable marks or injuries, others may fail to recognise the signs of an abusive dynamic. Friends and family commonly misunderstand why victims don’t simply leave such relationships.

Additionally, abusers intentionally employ tactics meant to erode self-esteem and confidence over time. Through gaslighting, victims start to question their thoughts and reality.

They feel crazy for perceiving abuse that “isn’t happening” according to the abuser’s false narratives. This makes them much less likely to believe they deserve help or that their experiences will be validated.

Prolonged gaslighting can even cause post-traumatic stress disorder-like symptoms on its own.

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Taking Domestic Violence Beyond Physical Images

As a society, our understanding of intimate partner violence must expand beyond the physical manifestation of bruises and broken objects.

Any action used to assert control through fear, intimidation, isolation or degradation of a partner should be recognised as abuse.

Emotional and psychological mistreatment may be more common than we realise, and their silent damage is no less severe than visible wounds.

Moving forward, we need policies and programmes supporting all victims, regardless of the form of abuse experienced. Public awareness campaigns should emphasise that domestic violence encompasses manipulative behaviours as well, not just physical violence.

Friends and advocates also require training to identify warning signs of emotional abuse specifically and provide empathetic validation when victims do find the courage to disclose their suffering.

No one should have to endure tactics that strip away dignity and autonomy within a relationship. Together, we can work to better prevent vulnerable individuals from slipping through the cracks of an issue more complex than bruises alone.

In conclusion, while leaving no physical marks, psychological and emotional abuse can inflict deep and long-lasting trauma.

It is very real domestic violence that deserves recognition, understanding and support. With expanded awareness, we hope to empower more victims to break isolation, regain confidence and access lifelines to safety.