Understanding Emotional Abuse and its Implications on Divorce

Many experience abuse at the hands of their partner, whether it be physical, sexual, or emotional. Understanding how emotional abuse can impact your divorce or separation is crucial, as it plays a significant role in determining the outcome. If you are a victim going through a divorce or separation the following blog explores what you must know about how this can affect your future. You’ll also discover how a Lawrence Law New Jersey divorce attorney can help represent you during these challenging times.

What Is Emotional Abuse?

Emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior in which one individual deliberately uses various tactics like intimidation to control or undermine others, or to dismiss the emotional well-being and feelings of another person. It is highly manipulative and can cause issues like low self-esteem, anxiety, agitation, distress, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Common examples of emotional abuse include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Invalidating the emotions and feelings of their victim
• Threatening physical or financial harm
• Yelling at, name-calling, belittling, or humiliating their victim

Another form of emotional abuse is known as gaslighting. This occurs when one partner distorts the experiences the other feels as a way to make their victim question reality. Whether this is denying something was said or claiming that a cruel comment was just a joke, the intended result is to make their victim doubt their own feelings and perceptions.

How Can Abuse Impact a Divorce?

There are many things that can impact the outcome of your divorce, and emotional abuse is one factor. If you are a victim of emotional abuse, you may be unable to participate in direct negotiations with your partner, and even mediation or a collaborative divorce may be difficult. This is because these processes require both partners to communicate their wants and concerns, and the power imbalance associated with relationships where one partner is abusive makes this more difficult. When individuals doubt themselves or are intimidated when addressing difficult issues with their partner, an experienced family lawyer can help determine what process will work best and serve as their advocate in that process.

If you are a victim of emotional abuse from your partner, it’s essential to contact an experienced attorney from Lawrence Law when going through your divorce. Numerous factors demand careful attention to secure the optimal divorce outcome. Therefore, entrusting an attorney to navigate this process becomes essential. Contact our firm today to learn how we may help you.