Controls Who I See: This is Abuse

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and for the next few weeks we will be specifically focusing on broadening understandings of what abuse looks like. It’s a widespread issue that many of us have experienced, either directly or indirectly, but do you know some of the less publicized aspects of an abusive relationship?

Each week we will have a theme – one that shows how domestic abuse is more than the physical violence that many may think of when they hear, “domestic abuse.”

Domestic abuse is any pattern of behavior that allows one partner to exert power and control over another. 

When a person controls who their partner is able to interact with, this may lead to isolation, which in turn causes the victim of abuse to have less avenues to seek help when they decide they’re ready.

Being isolated from a support system is detrimental to victims of abuse. It may cause them to lean on their abusive partner more for support – whether that’s financial, emotional, or physical.

Controlling who you see also includes controlling who you interact with on social media accounts or on the internet. A partner who uses jealousy and accusations to intimidate you or shame you from following certain accounts, being friends online with certain people, or otherwise tries to control who or what you view may be abusive.

This is abuse. If you are experiencing a controlling partner, this is not normal or acceptable, and there is help for you.

Our doors are open.

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