Abuse is a behavior that can physically harm, cause fear, or prevent a person from doing what they want or what they choose to do.
Get help to understand why leaving is difficult
Most often a situation develops where the abused becomes dependant on the abuser and this can make leaving an abuse relationship very difficult. The abused can even sometimes feel that they are trapped, and there is no way out! This is not true. Remember, there is always a way out!
There are many factors that make leaving an abusive relationship difficult. Getting help will give you understanding of these issues and how to overcome them.
They include:
- Threats and intimidation
- Power and control over the victim
- Social, cultural and financial pressure to stay in the relationship
- Interpersonal factors of the abusive relationship.
Get help to realise your emotions
Many victims will feel different emotions when they are caught up in the cycle of abuse. These emotions can take control of your life and even start harmfully affecting the way you think, talk and act.
Getting help will let you face these feelings and learn to overcome them.
Common emotions include:
- Fear
- Shame
- Embarrassment
- Disbelief
- Self-blame, loss of love, etc
If you feel you are being abused, or know someone who is, you need to get help. Keeping the abuse a secret doesn't protect a person from being abused - it only makes it more likely that the abuse will continue.