“It is not the bruise on the body that hurts. It is the wounds of the scars on the mind”, Aisha Mirza, writer and counselor, talked this insightful statement to clarify the groundbreaking harm that mental maltreatment hangs on the human mind. Psychological abuse has numerous structures, including verbal abuse, emotional abuse, child abuse, and so forth., which happen in intimate connections. With psychological abuse becoming more daunting, the question of legal justice for victims is posed. Should abusers face charges for their act? Some may claim that psychological abuse is normal and could easily be avoided.
When in fact, the toxic abuse deprives the individual from the courage to leave the destructive relationship. Not only is this alarming, but it is affecting lives and could permanently damage someone. Psychological abuse must become a crime as this type of abuse. Psychological abuse must become a crime, as this type of abuse can easily lead to physical conflict, generate developmental drawbacks, disable the sense of self-worth in the victim, and normalize toxicity.
This abuse is usually found in romantic partners and relatives-even children can become victims. Examples of this abusive behavior include insulting, neglecting, verbal threats, repeated humiliation, destruction of one’s values, isolation and constantly monitoring the victim. Because of the lack of social skills, partners living in less developed societies are more likely to interact with this abuse. A quarter of women and a sixth of men are victims every year, unfortunately. “Whether it’s threatening, taking money, or tracking the mileage on the car, it’s just a tactic to control their partner” (Lynch).
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One of the biggest examples of psychological abuse is controlling an individual. The abusers want to feel strong and dominate the choices of the victim. Such choices include clothing, dietary needs, friends, money, free time activities, etc. When abusers are displeased in any situation, they feel that the person closest to them must be held accountable and punish them in an impulsive and usually manipulative manner (“Is Your Partner Emotionally Abusive”). Psychological abuse can be physically and mentally harmful, as it is never easy to walk away.
Psychological abuse can result in a physical attack. Emotional abuse is six percent more frequent than physical abuse, according to statistics. Furthermore, most emotionally abusive situations escalate into physical violence due to a lack of restraint (Kenny). When psychological abuse overpowers a relationship, abusers seek more power and lash out with words, on their partner. As result, the victim changes; for the latter. Many victims turn to drugs and alcohol and may eventually become criminals themselves (Foster).
Victims become so depressed, that in many cases they turn to suicide. On the other side of the spectrum, abusers are more likely to eventually kill (‘Is your partner emotionally abusive’). Harming someone with words causes a lot of damage to the victim, which can take a long time to recover (Lynch). Most victims never really recover. (“Is Your Partner Emotionally Abusive”).
Moreover, abuse affects a person’s development, which can continue throughout adulthood. Being abused impacts how the children grow. They can struggle with development when their minds are negatively affected at such an early age. Scientists at the University of Oregon say, ‘The characteristics of childhood are a strong predictor of adult behavior’. Psychologists around the world bring every mental offense back to the childhood of the individual. In physical development, this can also be cognitive. In fact, child abuse leads to many cases of malnutrition.
For example, ‘Nonorganic Failure to Thrive’ (NFTT) makes the weight of a child very low, causing the child to develop long term problems with their body’s weight. ‘Psychosocial Dwarfism’ (PSD). The wounds from verbal abuse does not quickly heal. It could actually change a person. ‘It follows us wherever we go through time and contexts,’ said Christopher Nave, PhD, Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences. Even if you are lucky enough to escape abuse, it is likely that future relationships will be impacted due to lack of trust and an unstable mind. A recent study has shown that the human brain appears to be different if it is victimized by psychological abuse since the brain becomes significantly smaller (Brantly). Abuse can change someone completely, for the worse.
Although there is plenty of evidence that psychological abuse has dangerous effects, it can be difficult to monitor. Domestic abuse, for example, is more damaging (according to the opposition), because you can see the injuries, while emotional abuse is less evident. Those who take such abuse lightly, argue that the government that that should not go into private life and focus on obvious things, such as physical violence (Kenny). The external world is dangerously hidden from psychological abuse. Officials could detect physical abuse easily but proving mental abuse would require more time and more evidence.
Although it is difficult to detect this abuse, results will be obtained if officials committed to the case in-house and work to achieve results, regardless of the time lost along the way. Repetition in this abuse, not to mention, can make several scenes in public. Psychological abuse can occur anywhere and is easily provoked with minimal security. Abuse occurs anywhere, even at work. Excessive arguments are distracting and could prove that emotional abuse can be detected and reported just as easily (Brantly).
Victims change their behavior, how they dress, socialize and work to avoid the hurt (Is your partner). The victims become accustomed to the pain and unfortunately, learn to avoid it. This does not stop the issue. victims live in fear of opening up about the abuse, missing their opportunity of help, and giving in to their abuser’s controlling behavior.
Although emotional abuse is a misdemeanor, some people think toxicity is normal. These individuals say that people could learn to avoid potentially toxic and controlling relationships. Also, treating people with disrespect is natural, even in families (why emotional abuse). ‘Repetitive mental abuse seems to have a numbing effect”, according to Kelly McDaniel, author and actress. Some people have been abused for so long, they become engulfed in the fact that it happens-they expect the abuse to elope.
Victims, however, do not have ‘resources to cut the toxic.’ Victims cannot stop the problem because they don’t know how to. Being abused is unexpected and as harmful as being physically attacked. Victims are guilted of remaining with their partner and having trouble finding the strength to leave. Love mixes the fear of the situation and prevents victims from avoiding abuse easily (Is your partner).
Laurel Lynch, CEO/Director of HOPE Family Services, said “Destroying someone with words is invisible”, but you’re still destroying someone, and that can-do greater damage than physical violence. Many people use the saying, ‘sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt,’ but a large group of society knows that words can hurt. In fact, the most harmful thing in society is the vocal projection of negativity. Instead of trying to teach victims how to avoid abuse, society should focus on the abuser’s behavior.
Psychological abuse is a serious matter not to be too taken lightly. This emotional and destructive habit lowers and changes an individual forever. Some people, however, underestimate this tragedy, claiming that it is unprovable and preventable, but innocent victims are not victorious. Regardless of the form, the abuse alienates the heart and mind, and defeats the courage of a person and corrupts the world. Psychological abuse is a devastating occurrence and should be portrayed as an odious crime.
By denying someone’s feelings or experiences, their reality is denied. Abuse is part of many worldwide lives. Feelings and emotions are valuable. By saying so, it is false or avoidable, one is disregarding the whole story of a person’s life. Individuals do not really know the experience of someone else. Words are art that should be considered carefully. Psychological abuse is a game for offenders, and almost everyone, unfortunately, has played.
