Relationship Abuse Defined 

Relationship abuse is multifaceted, deeply complex, and often invisible to the outside world. Its impact can extend far beyond surface-level interactions, as it can leave deep, everlasting, and profound emotional scars. Relationship abuse can take many forms and can be found with emotional, psychological, sexual, physical, reproductive coercion, stalking, spiritual abuse and have technologically facilitated dynamics (National Domestic Violence Hotline, n.d.). These types of abuse can gradually or rapidly escalate as the abuser seeks to gain and maintain power and control. Even when hidden from the outside world, the effects of relationship abuse on an individual can be strong and ever-present. Even further, these effects may have life-altering influences on one's emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual well-being. But what exactly is relationship abuse and what can I do? 

According to The Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness (2025) 

Relationship abuse is a pattern of abusive and coercive behaviors used to maintain power and control over a former or current intimate partner. Abuse can be emotional, financial, sexual or physical and can include threats, isolation, and intimidation. Abuse tends to escalate over time. When someone uses abuse and violence against a partner, it is always part of a larger pattern of control.  

How Relationship Abuse Can Look 

Common Signs (National Domestic Violence Hotline, n.d.).  

  • Extreme jealously of time spent with family or friends 

  • Discouraging time spend with others or doing what makes you happy 

  • Insulting, demeaning, and shaming you or in front of others 

  • Controlling all finances or encouraging you to not work so they “can pay for everything” without collaborative discussion 

  • Not being able to get needs met due to a refusal to provide money  

  • Pressuring you into uncomfortable situations or with sex, drugs, or alcohol  

  • Using intimidation to get what they want 

  • Destroying things in the home  

  • Hitting, slapping, or pushing you 

  • Preventing you from having autonomy over your life, choices, money, work, or school 

Power and Control Wheel (Adapted from Domestic Violence Intervention Programs.  

Prevalence 

The prevalence of intimate partner violence is pervasive and not uncommon. Black et al., (2011) discovered the following: 

  • Intimate partner violence alone affects more than 12 million people every year.  

  • Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner and reported it having a related impact on their functioning. 

  • 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the US have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. 

  • An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a single year. 

  • 81% of women who experienced rape, stalking, or physical violence from an intimate partner reported significant impacts (short-term or long-term) like injuries or symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Possible Impacts  

Physical: (Mass General Brigham, 2025).  

  • Cardiovascular and gastrointestinal, and/or reproductive issues  

  • Chronic pain  

  • Pulmonary/Muscoskeletal conditions 

Emotional: (American Psychiatric Association, as cited in Mass General Brigham, 2025).  

  • Dissociation 

  • Generalized anxiety disorder  

  • Major depressive disorder 

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 

  • Emotional dysregulation 

  • Confusion, guilt, shame, anxiety, chronic stress, and many others 

Resources for Support 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/(opens in a new tab)

  • 24/7 and CONFIDENTIAL 

  • Call: 1- (800)- 799- SAFE (7233) 

  • Text: “START” to 88788 

Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (GCADV): https://gcadv.org/get-help/(opens in a new tab)

  • If you live in Georgia, call the 24-Hour Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline:  

1 (800)- 33- HAVEN (1- 800- 334- 2836).  

  • If you are outside of Georgia, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is  

1 (800)- 799- SAFE (7233).  

References  

Black, M.C., Basile, K.C., Breiding, M.J., Smith, S.G., Walters, M.L., Merrick, M.T., Chen, J., & Stevens, M.R. (2011). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Mass General Brigham. (2025.) When home isn’t safe: The mental health impact of domestic violence. Mclean Hospital. https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/domestic-violence(opens in a new tab)

National Domestic Violence Hotline. (n.d.). Types of abuse.  

https://www.thehotline.org/resources/types-of-abuse/(opens in a new tab)

National Domestic Violence Hotline. (n.d.). Warning signs of abuse. What to look for. 

https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/domestic-abuse-warning-signs/(opens in a new tab)

The Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness. (2025). What is relationship abuse. 

https://stoprelationshipabuse.org/educated/what-is-relationship-abuse/(opens in a new tab)