Emotional and psychological abuse

Psychological abuse is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another person to a behaviour that may result in psychological trauma. It can take many forms, including

Verbal abuse

Name-calling, insults, and threats

Gaslighting

Making the victim doubt their own reality, memories, and perception of events

Isolation

Preventing the victim from accessing services, educational and social opportunities, seeing friends, or meeting their religious and cultural needs

Humiliation

Putting the victim down in front of others, or making them feel worthless and ashamed

Control

Trying to control the victim's every move, including what they wear, who they see, and what they do

Failure to respect privacy 

This can include things like reading the person's email or text messages, or going through their belongings without permission.

Bullying and intimidation

These behaviours can take many forms, but they all have the same goal, to make the victim feel powerless and dependent on the abuser. This is a pattern of unwanted and unwelcome behaviour that can make someone feel unsafe or uncomfortable. This can include things like name-calling, insults, threats, or stalking.