Spousal Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence
Identifying an Abusive Partner
Abusers aren’t easy to spot. In public, they can seem smart, trustworthy, and charming with a personality that draws people in, but in private, they are a waking nightmare. Many abusers learn violence from their family and repeat the toxic patterns with their own partner or children. They are also more likely to have legal and substance abuse problems.
Heterosexual male abusers often believe in traditional gender roles, particularly that a woman’s main priority should be to care for their partner and children. They have to be in control and are especially prone to jealousy , accusing their partner of cheating without any reason or needing to know where their partner is at all times.
Abusers often isolate their victims from family, friends, work, and any other outside sources of support. They may have explosive tempers and become violent during an abusive episode; afterward, they become remorseful and try to woo their partner back with charm and affection and promises to change, but the abusive behavior rarely stops.
Abusive relationships center around control and power. Common tactics that perpetrators use include:
Explore More About Domestic Violence
For a comprehensive understanding of domestic violence, read our complete guide: