There may be no physical scars, but it forces many to live in fear and torment
via Twitter
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 25 percent of women and 14 percent of men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner. These disturbing statistics are only made worse by the fact there are many other forms of nonphysical abuse. Emotional and verbal abuse may leave no physical scars, but it subjects many to live in fear and torment.
Partner abuse may involve controlling behaviors, shaming, refusing to listen, talking over you, blaming, emotional abuse, yelling, lying, neglecting, stalking, inappropriate sexual pressure, intimidation and psychological manipulation. These behaviors are often precursors to serious physical abuse.
To call attention to this serious problem, artist Zahira Kelly started #MaybeHeDoesntHitYou. Through this hashtag, survivors are sharing their experiences and spreading awareness about partner abuse.
Abusers can be controlling …
#MaybeHeDoesntHitYou but sabotaging all your relationships, including your own family is still abuse— Marianne (@Marianne) 1489770517
#maybehedoesnthityou but he gets mad at you for not following his rules even when you aren't together anymore— marissa sharp (@marissa sharp) 1487342764
Abuse can be emotional …
#MaybeHeDoesntHitYou but when you come up with a degrading name for him like the one he has for you it's totally not okay!— disney wench (@disney wench) 1489590462
Abuse can be verbal …
His jokes shouldn't cut you down. No it's not observational wit, it's cold, calculated degradation #narcissisticabuse #maybehedoesnthityou— Selflove=healing (@Selflove=healing) 1487368119
#MaybeHeDoesntHitYou but you've been hurt by words you didn't know could be used as an insult.— 11.09.13 (@11.09.13) 1489277360
Abuse can be psychological …
Have you heard of gaslighting? #MaybeHeDoesntHitYou but it's a red flag for a manipulative form of emotional #abuse https://t.co/knFPg8wp94— Street Smart Women (@Street Smart Women) 1489103143
Abuse can be financial ...
#MaybeHeDoesntHitYou But he goes out w/ ur bank card 2 get groceries & blows all ur money at the casino instead #NoMoreWeek #financialabuse— Dev Dreamer (@Dev Dreamer) 1489071300
For more information on partner abuse, go to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.