Being in a relationship can mean many different things. For some people it may mean that they are married, for others a relationship may mean they are living together or dating each other. One aspect of a relationship that is always the same though is that when you are in a relationship with someone, you are both equal. Amongst other things, this means that you are both equally entitled to respect from one another and equally entitled to not fear each other.
As a result of being entitled to these things when you are in a relationship, you do not automatically consent to put up with whatever your partner does, just simply because you are in a relationship with them. That means that if they hurt you, then you do not have to simply accept it. You don’t deserve to be hurt and it isn’t part of being in a relationship and by hurting you, they are carrying out domestic abuse.
THERE ARE MANY FORMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE THAT ARE NOT SO OBVIOUS
Domestic abuse is not always obvious. It doesn’t have to involve something physical like hitting or slapping. Instead, it could be that your partner continues to say something that upsets you and is hurtful, although they know it upsets you. Alternatively they could be controlling your life. For example:
- They may be controlling when you can go out of the house, or
- Who you can be friends with, or
- Whether you can be in contact with your birth family.
This is never acceptable. Domestic abuse is never acceptable.You do not and should not have to put up with it simply because you are in a relationship with the other person.
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This violence takes many forms, none of which is mutually exclusive. While physical violence may be the most visible form, others such as sexual, emotional, social, spiritual and economic abuse can be equally harmful.
Dear Kaoz! Thank you very much for your engaging comment. Absolutely, violence can take many forms, and none of them is acceptable. We are hoping to bring out another book soon about other forms of domestic violence. Keep reading and helping us share our content by posting it on your social media. Everybody has the right to education!