Spousal abuse consists of physical
abuse, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse. It can also include financial
abuse.
Spousal abuse includes married partners, non-married
partners, and dating relationships. Many young teenagers are involved
in abusive relationships that would fall into this category.
Very often the abuse is perpetrated in the guise
of love which can may it difficult to identify. Victims can be male or
female. Spousal abuse can occur in relationships regardless of the gender
of the people in the relationship or age.
Spousal abuse does not always result in physical
injury. Some abusers never physically hit their partners. But the threat
of violence or verbal abuse can cause tremendous damage and serve to
control the victim just as much as if physical violence were used.. In
fact many abusers deny their abusive behavior because they do not hit.
