Psychological Abuse:

Psychological abuse is the systematic perpetration of malicious and explicit nonphysical acts against an

intimate partner, child, or dependent adult.

1. This can include threatening the physical health of the victim and

the victim’s loved ones, controlling the victim’s freedom, and effectively acting to destabilize or isolate the victim.

2. Psychological abuse frequently occurs prior to or concurrently with physical or sexual abuse.

3. While psychological abuse increases the trauma of physical and sexual abuse, a number of studies have demonstrated that psychological abuse independently causes long-term damage to its victims’ mental health. 95% of men who physically abuse their intimate partners also psychologically abuse them.

4· Psychologically abusive men are more likely to use a weapon against their partners, have prior criminal arrests, abuse substances, and have employment problems.

5.  An employed woman with an unemployed partner is more than twice as likely to be psychologically abused by her partner.

6· Having a physical disability increases a woman’s risk of psychological abuse by 83%.

7. Women who earn 65% or more of their households’ income are more likely to be psychologically abused.

8. Individuals who are victims of psychological abuse are more likely to experience:

· Poor physical health

· Difficulty concentrating

· Emotional and/or mental impairment

· Poor work or school performance

· Higher likelihood of illegal drugs

.  Alcohol use

· Suicidal thoughts and/or suicide attempts

THE EFFECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE:

CHILDREN who are victims of or exposed to psychological abuse are more likely to be involved—

as victims or perpetrators—with psychological abuse as adults.

Incidents of child physical abuse are more frequent when accompanied by psychological abuse.

 Children who have been psychologically abused are more likely to experience behavior problems during their childhood and develop symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder later.

Perpetrators of psychological abuse against the Elderly often take advantage of their vulnerability in ways that control and/or humiliate the victim, including:

1. Denying or creating long waits for food, medication, heat, or basic care.

2. Taking the victim’s walker, glasses, or dentures.

3. Intentionally failing to follow medical, therapy, or safety recommendations.

Some other examples of psychological abuse include:

1. Denying the victim access to money or economic support.

2. Harassing the victim at work or school.

3. Threatening to injure, permanently disfigure, or kill the victim and/or loved ones.

4. Damaging the victim’s property.

5. Preventing the victim from eating, sleeping, or leaving her place of residence.

6. Threatening or physically abusing the family pet.