HealthTALK

What Emotional Abuse Really Looks Like:

Stories Behind the Data

It is easy to speak in percentages. It is harder to speak from the gut!

When we say emotional abuse affects 95% of domestic violence survivors in the UK (Women’s Aid), what does that really mean? It means women like the London entrepreneur whose partner insisted on 'managing her schedule' slowly cutting her off from clients and family under the guise of support. By the time she realised she was being controlled, he had access to her business passwords and financial accounts.

In India, where NIMHANS research shows high under reporting of psychological abuse, women are often discouraged from speaking out due to family honour. One woman, a dentist and mother, shared in an interview that her husband routinely humiliated her in front of patients.

The 7 Forms of Childhood Trauma in Women and Their Far-Reaching Impact on Career, Health and Relationships

Childhood trauma can leave lasting scars, especially for women who often carry the we

ht of early experiences into adulthood, affecting various aspects of their lives. Neuroscience and psychology reveal that the brain’s development is profoundly impacted by traumatic events in childhood, influencing how women navigate relationships, careers and their mental health.

Black women, in particular, face a unique intersection of cultural and societal pressures, compounding their trauma and exacerbating its effects. Understanding these impacts is crucial to breaking the cycle and embracing healing.

1.     Emotional Abuse: