When a person’s behaviour is so extreme, abusive or rude that it causes harm to another person or makes another person believe that s/he will suffer harm. This may include mental, psychological, physical or financial harm. Harassment happens when a person does something that may make another person feel uncomfortable, threatened or unsafe.

You probably know many of the more obvious signs of mental and emotional abuse. But when you’re in the midst of it, it can be easy to miss the persistent undercurrent of abusive behavior. Psychological abuse involves a person’s attempts to frighten, control, or isolate you. It’s in the abuser’s words and actions, as well as their persistence in these behaviors.

Domestic violence and abuse stem from a desire to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abusive people believe they have the right to control and restrict their partners, and they may enjoy the feeling that exerting power gives them. They often believe that their own feelings and needs should be the priority in their relationships, so they use abusive tactics to dismantle equality and make their partners feel less valuable and deserving of respect in the relationship.

Abusive relationships are complex situations which take a lot of courage to leave. When a survivor leaves an abusive relationship, the perpetrator's sense of power and control is threatened, and this may cause the abuser to retaliate. That is why leaving is one of the most dangerous things a survivor can do.

Can we take a moment to think of the woman who woke up early this morning to spend extra time on her make up, because she can’t call in sick today, to cover up the bruises and cuts on her face.

The concept of human rights allows people to speak up when they experience abuse and corruption. The concept of human rights empowers people and tells them that they deserve dignity from society. For more information visit the South African Human Rights Commission

Having evidence is essential when you need to either open a case against an abuser or defend yourself and/or claims. By keeping evidence of everything you have the opportunity to use it when you need it. Being prepared gives you peace of mind.

Trauma bonding is a psychological response to abuse. It occurs when the abused person forms an unhealthy bond with the person who abuses them. The person experiencing abuse may develop sympathy for the abusive person, which becomes reinforced by cycles of abuse, followed by remorse. Stockholm syndrome is one type of trauma bonding.

Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, can come in many different forms. At the root of all forms of abuse, however, is the need for the abusive partner to keep power and control over the victim.