How to Respond to a Verbally Abusive Relationship

Knowing how to respond to a verbally abusive relationship can to be a very difficult thing to do. The abused individual may feel alone and that this is not a case of abuse. This could not be more wrong. The following steps will tell you how to respond correctly to a verbally abusive relationship.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Recognize that you are a victim of verbal abuse. If you are being yelled out, criticized, degraded, threatened, cursed or anything of this nature, this is verbal abuse. Don't make excuses or deny what is happening to you.

2. Confront the abuser about his actions and how the words hurt you. Explain to the abuser that what they are doing is wrong and if they truly love you they will stop.

3. Seek counseling, either as an individual or as a couple. Ask your family physician for a refferal.

4. Inform your friends and family about the situation that you are going through. You will need as much positive support and inspiration as you can get during this time. You will also need to arrange to have somewhere to stay in the event that you leave the relationship.

5. Call for help. Nobody should go through such a situation without professional help. Contact a local Domestic Abuse Counseling Center, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

6. Leave the situation and relationship if the abuse does not stop or it escalates in any manner. Sadly, verbal abuse often turns into physical abuse because the abuser thinks he can get away with that behavior with no consequences.

Resources

• Domestic Abuse Counseling Center.
• National Domestic Abuse Hotline.

[novalove]

on 3/28/2009 Thanks. Good info. 5*