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Verbal abuse is an insidious attempt at controlling another person and a form of Psychological violence that simmers just below the surface of today’s society. It finds its way into many families, relationships of all age groups, educational environments and the workplace in most countries around the world.
Open Discussion
Fortunately, the subject is beginning to be openly discussed more frequently on radio and television, and on internet blogs. Additionally the subject of verbal and physical abuse, including bullying is being addressed and taught in schools.
Since verbal abuse almost always happens before or during domestic violence, anyone can become a victim. Beginning at a young age, we see and hear the sights and sounds of abuse at home, often directed at you from parents, siblings, foster parents or guardians.
Starts Early
Abusive relationships among young women sixteen to nineteen are the second highest group of nonfatal partner violence, trailing just behind the leading group of young women age twenty to twenty-four. Equally disturbing is an even younger group of teen girls age eleven to fourteen. One in five in this group have been, or have a friend who have been victims of dating or relationship verbal or physical violence, Nearly half of this group has personally experienced verbal abuse in their relationships at school or on school buses. (To learn more about teen dating violence visit www.end-abuse.org).
On the Job Insults
Verbal abuse is also found on the job from co-workers, caregivers and supervisors, ranging from receiving joke-like insults in the office, verbal elder abuse when no one is near to observe, to the supermarket check-out clerk hurling insults at the young bagger struggling to keep up.
Many Faces
All verbal abuse violates your personal boundaries in some manner. Being ignored, insulted, and ordered about all violate your boundaries and are not acceptable.
Verbal abuse has many faces. It can be disguised as subtle, passive-aggressive, brainwashing insults to overt, angry, aggressive outbursts. It can often be demeaning even though it sounds like a sincere compliment. Verbal abuse is highly manipulative and very controlling. The put-downs are often disguised as jokes and completely unpredictable – catching the victim completely off-balance. It can contain a double meaning and can actually be “the problem” in a relationship, turning a serious discussion into an argument.
Comes Before Violence
Verbal abuse almost always precedes physical abuse, increasing in tone, intensity and frequency that escalates into an accidental push or bump then a shove which can then turn very ugly. Physical abuse can never be allowed or tolerated. It turns the page to the next chapter in a relationship. Someone has to leave and quickly.
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.
Review our Knowledge Base or the links displayed on this page for similar and related topics.