Domestic violence
”Violence is any act directed at another person that, by causing harm, pain, fear, or humiliation, forces that person to do something against their will or stops them from doing something they want.”
The most widely accepted definition of violence, in the Nordic countries, is that of Per Isdal, a Norwegian psychologist, psychotherapist, author, lecturer, and one of the founders of Europe’s first treatment center for men with violence-related issues.
Violence can be physical, emotional/psychological, sexual, material, financial, digital, and/or latent. None of these forms of violence is more or less valid or important; those who are subjected to them need and deserve equal help and support.
Many people are also subjected post-relationship violence. This is when violence begins, continues, or takes on a different form after the relationship has ended. Post-relationship violence is particularly common when you have to maintain contact, for example when you have shared children, pets, a house or apartment, etc. It is common for post-relationship violence to involve abuse, threats, stalking, financial abuse, and the use and victimization of shared children.
WHAT IS VIOLENCE?
Most of my clients ask themselves, “Is what I am experiencing in my relationship abuse?”
There’s no easy way to answer that without talking it through, but the very fact that you’re asking yourself that question speaks volumes. Together, we can figure out what you’re experiencing and being subjected to in your relationship and whether or not it constitutes abuse. No question is too big or too small. And remember - whether or not you’re experiencing abuse, you deserve to feel good in your relationship and be treated with respect.