The thing with covert emotional abuse is that the tactics used by the one causing harm are tactics we see in many of our relationships, even those that are not abusive. And so it can be very confusing to those within the abusive relationship as well as those hearing about it from the outside. Minimization,…
Craig’s story reminds us…men can be victims of abuse. Like women, they find themselves in sexually, emotionally, or physically abusive relationships. But coming out about the abuse for a man is exceedingly difficult as you will see from Craig’s story. Although he experienced physical, sexual and covert emotional abuse by his wife, when he disclosed…
Did you know that abuse does not discriminate? It can happen to anyone. Children, teens, adults and the elderly all can be victims of abuse. Violence happens in intimate partnerships, parent-child relationships, within the workplace, at church or school, and among teens who date. There is no minimum age requirement for abusive relationships, and the…
In 2020, Jessica Simpson released her memoir “Open Book”. In her life account, she divulges her struggles throughout her past. She speaks openly about her battle against drugs and alcohol addiction fueled by the unaddressed sexual abuse she experienced as a little girl. There are multiple inspiring elements of Simpson’s story. However, one aspect that…
When someone you love is in an abusive relationship, the impact of that relationship affects everyone in their circle, including you. You may not see the abuse or even realize that what you do see is abuse so much as you feel that something is “off.” It is particularly difficult to spot an abusive relationship…
Abuse in relationships does not always look like hitting or name-calling. Frequently, abuse is much more subtle than that, and can slowly wedge a divide between couples, digging deeper into the victim day by day. This is what is called “Covert Emotional Abuse (CEA)” and “Dismissing” is one of the tactics covert abusers use to…
The Christmas season is one of the only times each year when scattered family members tend to travel near and far to gather under one roof. During the pandemic, holiday celebrations will definitely be different, but there are still many opportunities to make memories and be with the ones you love, even if it is…
Being in an emotionally abusive relationship can be an incredibly isolating experience. By nature, Covert Emotional Abuse (CEA) is subtle, difficult to detect and hard to confront. Many CEA victims are left suffering without having a clear understanding of why everything is challenging and complicated. For these men and women, knowledge is the most freeing…