![\"Examining](\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Examining-the-Dynamics-of-Abusive-Relationship.jpg\" "\\"Examining")
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All relationships are dynamic to a certain degree, waxing and waning a bit, changing quickly and slowly as time and circumstances pass, and as we know, no two relationships are ever alike. Abusive relationships share a commonality: <\/span>they are not positive, life-affirming relationships.<\/span><\/i> Abuse<\/span> in a relationship can be physical or mental or both physical and mental. Before venturing any further into this very serious topic, let’s look at some definitions, facts and, figures regarding abuse.<\/span><\/p>\n Abuse takes many forms<\/span><\/a>. It can be mental, physical, sexual, emotional or financial, and any combination of these. Both men and women can be the objects of abuse, but many more women than men are the victims of abuse for various reasons. <\/span><\/p>\n Domestic violence is the umbrella term for all kinds of abuse. It affects people of all socioeconomic levels, and at any stage of a relationship: dating, living together, or married. It affects people of all educational levels, religions, genders, races, sexual orientations.<\/span><\/p>\n The National Domestic Violence Project has a very detailed inclusive definition: <\/span>Domestic violence includes behaviors that physically harm, arouse fear, prevent a partner from doing what they wish or force them to behave in ways they do not want. <\/span><\/p>\n It includes the use of physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse and economic deprivation. Many of these different forms of domestic violence\/abuse can be occurring at any one time within the same intimate relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n It is impossible to know exact figures regarding abusive relationships since many go unreported. According to the United Nations, 35% of women worldwide have reported physical and\/or sexual violence by a non-partner at some point in their lives. Here is a powerfully sobering statistic: also according to the United Nations, <\/span>some countries report that up to 70% of women have experienced physical and\/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lives.<\/span> Read additional information about this reporting from the United Nations<\/span> here.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Men abuse women at a rate of over 10 to 1. It is unknown what the rate of women who abuse men is, but you can go<\/span> here<\/span><\/a> for more information about that less-studied area of abuse. Many more facts and figures about abusive relationships can be found<\/span> here<\/span><\/a>. What is amazing is how truly frightening these statistics are. This is an area which deserves far more attention and resources than it receives.<\/span><\/p>\n Healthy or non-abusive relationships, by and large, are about a power balance. Think about the arguments you have had with a partner. Hopefully, you both have equal power and say in the relationship. T<\/span>he unstated rule in healthy relationships is that each party acknowledges the other party’s right to hold different opinions and to be respected. You argue, you listen to each other, a compromise, agreement or disagreement is reached and the relationship continues, changes and grows. No harm is done. <\/span><\/p>\n One important component of a healthy relationship is that there is mutual self-esteem between the partners<\/span><\/i>. Both partners respect each other.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/span>The definition of abuse<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Facts and figures<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>More startling statistics<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Typical dynamics of non-abusive relationships<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n<\/span>Typical dynamics of abusive relationships<\/span><\/h2>\n