The Warning I Ignored: When Someone Takes Pride in Destroying Their Former Partner

The narrative highlights the significance of recognizing early warning signs in relationships, particularly through a recounting of emotional abuse. The author reflects on a past conversation that foreshadowed their own experience with similar behavior when attempting to leave a relationship. Ultimately, it emphasizes the importance of understanding patterns of abuse and the consequences of one’s actions.… Read More The Warning I Ignored: When Someone Takes Pride in Destroying Their Former Partner

When You Finally Ask the Family for Help: The Psychology of Silence, Denial and Cover-Up Around Abuse

Sometimes the person experiencing abuse eventually reaches out When you have lived for years feeling that there is no way out, there may come a point when you finally confide in someone close to your partner. You may not even be asking them to confront the person. You may simply be hoping for one thing:… Read More When You Finally Ask the Family for Help: The Psychology of Silence, Denial and Cover-Up Around Abuse

The People Who Disappeared: How Coercive Control Can Slowly Remove Your Support Network

Sometimes you don’t realise you have been isolated until you look back One of the most frightening things about prolonged coercive control is that isolation does not always look like isolation. There may be no moment when someone says: “You are no longer allowed to have friends.” Instead, people gradually disappear. A friend becomes someone… Read More The People Who Disappeared: How Coercive Control Can Slowly Remove Your Support Network

When Everyone Else Can See the Danger: Why People Can Stay Even When They Are Being Offered a Way Out

Sometimes, looking back, the question can be painfully difficult: “Why didn’t I leave when people were telling me I was in danger?” You may remember the moments clearly. Your doctor asked questions that made you realise he was concerned. Your psychologist repeatedly questioned your partner’s behaviour and history. Your doctor was shocked that the situation… Read More When Everyone Else Can See the Danger: Why People Can Stay Even When They Are Being Offered a Way Out

When the Professionals Tell You to Leave: Why You Should Listen to the Warning Signs

When a doctor tells you once that they are concerned about your safety, you may dismiss it. When they tell you twice, you may begin to wonder. When they tell you three times—and your psychologist is also repeatedly advising you to leave—it is time to stop and listen. Not because professionals know everything about your… Read More When the Professionals Tell You to Leave: Why You Should Listen to the Warning Signs

Couple friendships can become a closed social system

There is quite a lot going on psychologically when a woman who has been part of a couple for many years suddenly becomes single through divorce, separation or bereavement. The painful part is that she may lose not only her partner, but an entire social structure. There are several overlapping psychological and neuroscience mechanisms behind this.… Read More Couple friendships can become a closed social system

When Families Keep the Truth Hidden: How Secrecy Can Protect Abuse

Sometimes the person who caused the abuse is not the only person who keeps the truth hidden. Families can become part of the silence. They may minimise what happened. They may rewrite the history. They may describe violence as “marital problems”, “arguments” or “something between the couple”. They may insist that nobody should talk about… Read More When Families Keep the Truth Hidden: How Secrecy Can Protect Abuse

When the Past Is a Pattern: Should a New Partner Be Told About a History of Violence and Abuse?

There is a difference between having a past and having a pattern. Everyone comes into a new relationship with history. Previous relationships, mistakes, regrets, disappointments and difficult experiences are part of being human. But what happens when someone’s history includes violence and abuse across two marriages spanning decades? What if there have been convictions for physical violence?… Read More When the Past Is a Pattern: Should a New Partner Be Told About a History of Violence and Abuse?

Coming Clean: Telling a New Partner About a History of Abuse, Violence or Restraining-Order Breaches

Starting a new relationship usually involves gradually getting to know one another. You talk about your past, your family, your previous relationships, your hopes, your mistakes and the experiences that have shaped you. But what happens when someone’s past includes convictions for domestic abuse, physical violence, threats or breaking restraining orders? At what point should a… Read More Coming Clean: Telling a New Partner About a History of Abuse, Violence or Restraining-Order Breaches

Restraining/protection order imposed because of physical violence

Restraining/protection order imposed because of physical violence, and the person then broke that order, that is potentially a significant criminal matter in both Spain and the UK. The exact offence and maximum penalty depend on the type of order and the circumstances. 🇪🇸 Spain In Spain, breaching a judicial restraining order can constitute quebrantamiento de condena under… Read More Restraining/protection order imposed because of physical violence