Types of emotional violence and ways to prevent abuse

When we think of violence, we mostly think of physical violence; however, there are many sub-types of violence. We can list many sub-headings as physical, emotional, sexual and even digital violence. Especially in our modernizing and civilized world, the concept of violence has also evolved and has now turned into emotional (psychological) violence, which society considers more acceptable. It should be noted that emotional violence is also referred to as emotional abuse, psychological abuse or psychological violence.

In fact, when we look at our environment and our daily lives, we can be exposed to many forms of this violence at work, at school, in our bilateral relationships and even in social life. Therefore, it becomes extremely important to gain awareness on this issue and to instill this awareness in our environment.

Emotional violence includes all patterns of behavior by a person or group against a specific person in order to emotionally weaken the person, to overpower his/her psychology and to impair his/her cognitive skills. Behaviors such as mocking, excluding, humiliating, ignoring, making them feel inadequate, undermining their trust, cheating, making them feel insignificant are among the most common examples of violence. Emotional violence can sometimes cause even more damage than physical violence. Many psychological problems such as stress, depression and anxiety may arise in the victims. People who are subjected to emotional violence may feel helpless on a road with no way out.

They often feel guilty even though they are victims of violence.

How do you know if you have been subjected to emotional violence?

After a while, people who have been subjected to emotional violence begin to experience symptoms such as loneliness, fear, lack of self-confidence, restlessness and excessive tension on a regular basis. If the emotional violence continues for a long time, the person may develop psychological disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder. Aside from such psychological disorders, the person seeking a way out of the situation may start to use various substances and develop habits such as drinking. When victims become unable to cope with the emotional violence, they may try to harm themselves or even attempt suicide.

What are the types of emotional violence?

Let's examine the most common types of emotional violence.

Isolation

The perpetrator of violence tries to separate the victim from those closest to her, her family, relatives and friends. He/she wants the victim to be completely his/her own person and to contact only him/her for all kinds of material and moral support. For this purpose, he/she tells the victim that he/she is not loved and despised by his/her relatives and that no one wants him/her.

Hiding

If the perpetrator is the victim's boyfriend, he hides the victim as if they are having an affair. He/she wants to meet in remote places where no one is around or in private places such as at home. Avoids meeting in public places. However, this type of behavior indicates that the perpetrator is hiding something from the victim, perhaps having another relationship.

Disappearing

If the person you are in touch with disappears suddenly and for no apparent reason, this is what we call "ghosting". In such cases, the other person suddenly becomes unreachable and does not respond to your messages and calls. When this happens, the burden of the relationship falls on you and you feel empty for no apparent reason.

If the person you are seeing spends time with you for a while, makes all sorts of nice conversations, but then does not contact you at all for a few days afterwards, we can say that a type of violence called baiting is taking place. In such cases, the person then contacts you again and acts as if nothing has happened. As a result, it makes you feel insignificant.

Mind baiting

The intimate partner constantly pushes the victim to question her own sanity. He/she tells himself/herself that he/she is making things up and that nothing is as the victim thinks it is. In this way he/she breaks the victim's faith in himself/herself.

Extreme jealousy

Jealousy is acceptable in many relationships as long as it is in moderation. However, if the level of jealousy reaches a level that restricts the other person's life and makes them feel incomplete, then it becomes psychological violence. The partner who is "envied" in this way may ignore these situations and continue the relationship because they love the person they are with, but this is also a form of psychological violence.