One person controls the relationship by using fear, force or intimidation and eventually weakens your self-worth and confidence.
Emotional or mental abuse is more obvious when your partner yells or swears using emotional bullying. Not so obvious emotional abuse can include your partner giving you the “silent treatment” to control you or denying things they’ve said to you or things they have done to you. If you hear, “I don’t know what you are talking about,” and “I never said that,” these are warning signs that your partner might be emotionally abusing you.
Call Day One to talk about your relationship if you have concerns. Advocates in the Day One network can help you develop a safety plan and give you options for leaving for your partner or for getting support and counseling for yourself or for your children. Call the Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline number 1.866.223.1111.