Abuse is a term that refers to the mistreatment, harm, or infliction of injury on someone, either through physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, or other means. Abuse can occur in various contexts, including relationships, families, institutions, and broader social settings. It is a serious violation of an individual’s rights and can have profound and lasting effects on their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
Denial goes hand-in-hand with projection because, by denying any wrongdoing, the abuser reinforces their claim that you are the one at fault. This tactic not only helps them avoid accountability but also chips away at your confidence and sense of reality, making it more likely that you will stay in the relationship under the false belief that you’re the problem.… Read More Understand Projection and Denial as Manipulative Tactics
Protection orders represent a vital step toward safety and freedom for survivors. While they are not a perfect solution, they send a strong message to abusers that their behavior has consequences. With continued education, legal advancements, and accessible resources, protection orders can be an empowering tool, helping survivors reclaim their lives.… Read More Why Protection Orders Matter
Absolutely. Legal frameworks increasingly acknowledge the complexity and insidious nature of coercive control and financial abuse, recognizing the profound impact they have on survivors’ autonomy, financial stability, and overall mental well-being. Here’s a closer look at how legal interventions are evolving to support survivors of these non-physical forms of abuse: 1. Defining Coercive Control and Financial… Read More Defining Coercive Control and Financial Abuse in Legal Terms
Abusers often use empty promises to manipulate and prolong the cycle of control. They may promise to change, express remorse, or offer fleeting moments of kindness, only to revert to harmful behaviors. Recognizing these as tactics of manipulation, rather than signs of true change, is vital.… Read More Domestic violence, coercive control, and financial abuse
If this behavior becomes abusive, or if the person’s jealousy leads to extreme controlling behavior or isolation from your loved ones, it may be necessary to evaluate the relationship more seriously. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, people who engage in this kind of manipulation may not be ready or willing to change, and their behavior could be detrimental to your mental health.… Read More Jealousy
Financial abuse in particular is insidious because it often isolates victims, making it harder for them to leave abusive situations. If someone is hiding important documents, withholding money, or controlling all financial decisions, it limits the victim’s options and can create a sense of powerlessness. This can manifest in actions like hiding paychecks, opening credit cards in the victim’s name, or restricting access to financial information, all of which are meant to trap the person in the relationship.… Read More Calculated and Orchestrated form of abuse
The worst part is, when they make it all about themselves, it can leave you questioning your own reality. You might even start doubting yourself—”Was it really that bad? Should I have stayed quiet?”—which is exactly what abusers and their enablers want. They don’t want to confront the truth because it’s easier for them to vilify the victim than to acknowledge the deep dysfunction and harm.… Read More Dismissed or ignored
I think it speaks to the resilience of honesty and integrity. When you stand by what is real and authentic, there’s a power in that, even if it doesn’t always seem obvious right away. And sometimes, despite the chaos, things fall into place just as they’re meant to, as if to remind us that justice—whether it’s cosmic, moral, or simply the result of people seeing the truth for themselves—has a way of winning out in the end.… Read More Honesty and Integrity
The Body Remembers: Trauma experts often say that “the body keeps the score.” This means that, for survivors of physical abuse, their body holds onto the pain, even if the mind tries to suppress or forget the memories. Every blow, every push, every bruise can act as a visceral reminder of past abuse, reigniting feelings of fear, helplessness, or shame. For someone who has been abused multiple times, each instance compounds the trauma, making it harder to separate the pain of the present from the past.… Read More The Cycle of Abuse: Trauma That Never Really Ends
Emotional Suppression: Survivors may feel pressure to bury their pain, leading to unresolved emotions that can manifest in anxiety, depression, or even physical ailments.
Difficulty Setting Boundaries: When abusers dismiss past harm, they often disregard boundaries. Survivors may struggle to assert themselves in future relationships, unsure whether they have the right to demand respect and accountability.
Re-traumatization: When an abuser refuses to acknowledge their actions, it can re-traumatize the survivor. This dismissal can trigger memories of the abuse, compounding the trauma and delaying healing.
Isolation: Survivors may feel that their pain is invisible or invalid, leading them to withdraw from support systems. If their abuser is a close partner, friend, or family member, this dynamic can lead to a profound sense of isolation.… Read More The Weaponization of “Moving On”
Linda C J Turner | Trauma Therapist & Emotional Healing Specialist 