How serious is the abuse perpetrated in violent relationships?
The violence and control in abusive relationships can include many different kinds of abuse–physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, and financial abuse. Often these behaviors overlap, and may affect someone on many levels. No matter whether someone is being constantly verbally berated and emotionally put down, or whether they are being beaten up, all kinds of abuse are devastating. At the same time, we do know that partner abuse can escalate to a level that is fatal for the victim and the abuser. Tragically, about 1/3 of female homicide victims are killed by husbands, boyfriends or ex-partners. These abusers may kill their partner, the children and then kill themselves in a final expression of absolute power and control.