woman comforting a child

Emotional Abuse

Emotional Abuse is a tool used by those who want to make their partners feel scared, crazy, worthless or responsible for the abuse. The abuser's goal is control over the victim. Emotional abuse may include:

  • Making jokes about the victim
  • Insults
  • Criticizing the victim's competence
  • Ignoring the victim's feelings
  • Withholding affection as a form of punishment
  • Blaming the victim for all problems
  • Yelling at the victim
  • Humiliating the victim in front of others
  • Accusing the victim of being the abusive partner
  • Threatening to take the children away from the victim
  • Threatening physical violence
  • Threatening suicide to punish the victim

To help describe the different ways abusive behavior can be manifested, download the
'Power and Control Wheel'developed by the National Center on Domestic And Sexual Violence.











The information found on this site is not to replace the one-on-one advocacy and services HAVEN provides. The visitor agrees not to hold HAVEN From Domestic Violence responsible for any damages that might result from using information provided on this site.

If you are in danger, call 911 immediately.



HAVEN is a United Way Agency

united way