[jsconyers]

I know abuse in any form is wrong, but my question is how does one prove they're being mentally or emotionally abused? When you're physically abused, you have bruises, cuts, scars, maybe even broken bones as evidence. But when you're mentally or emotionally abused, you only have your word. That may not be proof enough in someone else's perspective.

Often those who are suffering from emotional or mental abuse, aren't believed when they try to open up and seek support or help. There are no signs for proof. It may take months or even years before someone listens and offers support to someone who is suffering emotional or mental abuse. When they do try to open up, they may be told they are too picky or too sensitive or it's all in their head. This can lead to them becoming more and more isolated in their feelings, which is very damaging.

So, how does one prove they're being emotionally or mentally abused? And more so, what is the best way to help someone in a situation where they're being abused in any way, shape, or form?

[TBOLTRAM]

My opinion is that if someone is being mentally abused the steps are:

1. Realize what is going on
2. Get out of the sitsuation and document with the police
3. Avoid being with the person being abusive
4. If abusive person continues to harass get a restraining order

The abusive person most likely is someone who enjoys wrecking someones mental state or thinks that they are in control by their actions.

It has been my observation that step 1 is the hardest one.

[akosnitzky]

Victims:
With children, I call Department of Children and Families.

With employees, I enroll them in the Employee Assistance program

[kathrynhr]

I believe the Conflict Tactics scale is the most commonly used method in the medical community for determining whether psychological abuse exists:

Conflict Tactics Scale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The test is copyrighted and you can't find it (legally) online, but you can get a very good idea of what the test consists of and how it is scored by viewing this PDF:

http://pubpages.unh.edu/~mas2/CTS15.pdf

Hope this helps.

[jsconyers]

That is very helpful, Kathryn. I will look over the links you provided and do some more research on it.

Thanks!

[TBOLTRAM]

What should you do when both parties are nutz? Have a judge declare that their punishment is to stay with each other? The recent Charlie Sheen/current wife media circus brings up this point.

My point is that in some cases both parties are at fault and it is difficult to determine who is at fault. I know of a case where the male hit the female but the female's mouth was extremely abusive. After that I consider physical and mental abuse to be equally bad.

This is my opinion and your mileage may vary.

[djm2]

js-

As mentioned, that measure is pretty much state of the art with excellent psychometric properties -- unlike so much of the bs or mission-oriented research carried out in the field.

[akosnitzky]

Originally Posted by TBOLTRAM

What should you do when both parties are nutz? Have a judge declare that their punishment is to stay with each other? The recent Charlie Sheen/current wife media circus brings up this point.

My point is that in some cases both parties are at fault and it is difficult to determine who is at fault. I know of a case where the male hit the female but the female's mouth was extremely abusive. After that I consider physical and mental abuse to be equally bad.

This is my opinion and your mileage may vary.

As far as both people nuts, all we can do is refer to a professional. Certain mental health professionals and sworn officers can Baker act if that is applicable

[Noodle22]

Originally Posted by TBOLTRAM

What should you do when both parties are nutz? Have a judge declare that their punishment is to stay with each other? The recent Charlie Sheen/current wife media circus brings up this point.

Exactly who I thought of when I read the first post. The fact that she said he straddled her and put a open knife next to her as he threatened her, and a police man verified the markings on her neck, she's trying to go back to him.

Maybe that's the problem with all his relationships, he's a mental abuser. Didn't he shoot what's her name? And said it was an accident? She's now John Travolta's wife..

[CoDudette]

Originally Posted by Noodle22

Didn't he shoot what's her name? And said it was an accident? She's now John Travolta's wife..

Kelly Preston.

abuse of the woman is so common here. the problem is, the girls are too scared to go and report it.
the main source of abuse? in laws and husbands. half the time the men get married because their parents force them..and this happens in the lower/upper middle classes. its absolutely horrifying to see what some of these women go through.
Because the women don't go report it, the men get away, and we can't stop it. i feel so sad, women have sometimes NO voice in our society.