Physical abuse refers to the deliberate infliction of harm or injury on someone through the use of force. In an abusive relationship, it may involve restraining the person or asserting control through aggressive or intimidating actions. This can also include property destruction, breaking items, slamming doors, punching walls, and displaying threatening behaviours or gestures.
Physical abuse in a relationship is often used as a means to gain more control, especially when emotional abuse and coercive or controlling behaviours are also present. What may begin as minor incidents of abuse can gradually escalate over time.
After an attack, the abuser may show intense remorse, crying and pleading for forgiveness. They might also shift the blame onto you, insisting that the abuse is your fault. This can be followed by a period of reconciliation and a “honeymoon phase,” before the cycle repeats itself. The abuser may try to justify their actions by blaming stress, alcohol, or drugs, making you feel that if those issues were resolved, the violence or abusive behaviour would stop. However, no matter the excuse, the abuse is never your fault.
Physical abuse may include all or some of the following:
- Slapping
- Kicking
- Hair pulling
- Biting
- Burning
- Hitting
- Choking
- Punching
- Scratching
- Throwing an object at you such as a phone, book, or shoe
- Damaging your property when they are angry (throwing objects, punching walks, kicking doors etc)
