Emotional abuse usually always accompanies physical abuse. Often, emotional abuse will escalate just prior to physical battering. But emotional abuse happens with or without physical abuse. Because it does not leave scars or bruises, it is a less obvious form of abuse, but its effects can be devastating for victims.

Emotional abuse can be difficult for victims to identify. If a victim grew up in a violent or emotionally unhealthy home, he or she may have difficulty distinguishing between what is normal relationship conflict and what is emotional abuse. Abusers use a wide-range of behaviors to emotionally control and belittle their victims, including name-calling, blaming, threatening, manipulating, withholding approval, and making hostile or mean-spirited jokes.

Like victims of physical and sexual abuse, victims of emotional abuse need help and support.

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