Signs of spousal abuse can be physical injuries or bruises, but they can also be more subtle, such as fear of the spouse, lack of decision-making ability, isolation, and feeling like they deserve inappropriate treatment. The victim may not show obvious signs of abuse and may feel intimidated or dependent on their spouse. The abuser may also attempt to isolate the victim and make them feel worthless.
There are many signs that may indicate possible spousal abuse, and bruises and wounds are among the most obvious. In many cases, however, the signs of spousal abuse are more subtle. For example, if one spouse seems abnormally shy or afraid of what the other spouse might think, say, or do, this may be a sign of abuse by the spouse. Similarly, if a spouse cannot make decisions for himself, does not have access to money or other resources, or seems isolated from friends and family, there may be reason to suspect possible abuse. Additionally, feeling like you deserve inappropriate treatment can also be a sign of abuse from your spouse.
Typically, the most obvious sign of spousal abuse is a physical injury or bruise. For example, a blackened eye or a bloody nose can be an easy-to-recognize sign of spousal abuse. In some cases, however, an abused person will not show such obvious signs. For example, a person who is verbally or sexually abused may not show any outward physical signs of the abuse. Also, if an individual is physically abused, she may find ways to hide the marks.
Often, a person experiencing spousal abuse appears intimidated or afraid of their spouse. For example, she may be hesitant to express her opinion of her in front of her or disagree with him. She may be afraid of displeasing him or not behaving the way he expects. If something goes wrong, she might be afraid to tell him. Also, an individual who is a victim of spousal abuse may be afraid to tell others because she fears the anger of his abuser; she may even feel too embarrassed to tell others.
When an individual seems totally dependent on their spouse, this too can be a sign of spousal abuse. For example, if an individual cannot make decisions for himself, this could be a sign that she is being abused. Likewise, lack of access to resources can indicate possible abuse. For example, if a spouse doesn’t have access to money or isn’t allowed to drive a car, work, or maintain a bank account, this could be a sign of an abusive relationship.
Sometimes isolation can also be a sign of spousal abuse. In many cases, an attacker attempts to isolate his victim. This may allow him to have more control over her. For example, he may interfere with and discourage her relationships with her friends and family.
Interestingly, one of the signs of spousal abuse is how the victim perceives themselves. In many cases, an attacker manages to make his victim feel worthless, stupid, or even ugly. As a result, the victim may come to believe that they deserve the abuse.
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