Abusive Relationships: What is an abusive relationship?

What are abusive relationships? What are the signs of an abusive relationship? How do I know that I am in an abusive relationship? How do you know if your relationship is abusive? Is abuse only physical?

An abusive relationship can take different forms:


- Physical Abuse
Being physically hurt or controlled by your partner.

- Emotional Abuse
Being emotionally or mentally hurt or controlled by your partner.

Although physical abuse can be seen clearly, emotional abuse is sometimes less obvious to the eye but is harmful and toxic nonetheless.

Signs of a physically abusive relationship

- Your partner hits, shoves or otherwise inflicts physical pain on you.
- Your partner locks you in or holds you hostage in some way or another.
- Your partner uses force to get you to go anywhere or do anything.
- Your partner forces himself on you.

Signs of an emotionally abusive relationship

- Your partner threatens to hurt you or someone you love
- Your partner threatens to hurt himself if you leave
- Your partner threatens to hurt himself if you don't agree to something or do something.
- Your partner emotionally blackmails you
- Your partner literally blackmails you with private photos or secrets he may know about you
- Your partner calls you names or insults you
- Your partner belittles you or makes you feel worthless.