Domestic Abuse, Conjugal Violence, Wife battering, Spousal abuse; these are all different
terms that refer to the violence between a couple. (Koers, 2001). Domestic abuse can take different forms. Many people think
about physical violence when they hear any of the terms above, however women can be abused by their partners sexually, physically,
emotionally, psychologically, as well as economically (Vaknin, n.d).
Usually as a means of controlling their partner; physical violence includes anything
from pinching to murder. Psychological and emotional abuse include using words to degrade and dehumanize the victimized partner.
Sexual abuse is using unwanted sexual activities as an other mean of dehumanizing, and lastly economical abuse is when one
partner controls his or her partner through money (Dryden-Edwards, n.d).
Many people ask themselves why would a woman stay in an abusive relationship. Well there
are many answers to this question. The first being that the abused woman may be scared to leave, and get followed or found
by her abusive partner; this may also endanger the lives of their children and they tell themselves that it is
best to just deal with the abuse than worsten things. Through psychological abuse, the abusive partner has conditioned the
abused to think that she is the problem in the relationship and it is her fault that she is being subjected to such atrocities.
(Sonnenburg, 2007). Often, abused partners do not even realise that they are being abused because they are not subjected to
physical harm. (Sonnenburg, 2007) (See Wheel of Power and Control) and (See "Are you or someone you know in an abusive
relationship?")
Remember that there is help, and the site has a section reserved to resources that are available everyday
to abused women. Make yourself not a victim, but a SURVIVOR!
