Words Too, Can Hurt Like Knives

              Whenever you encounter the words "abusive relationships", what comes comes out of your mind? Is it only the bruises, bleeding, or even black eyes? Actually, abusive relationships does not only include the physical violence, but also the emotional or verbal abuse. Verbal abuse may not be a serious issue but I believe that words hurt as much as the physical violence. 

     According to an article entitled "What is emotional/verbal abuse?" in loveisrespect.org, emotional abuse includes non-physical behaviors such as threats, insult, constant monitoring, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, or stalking. A relationship can be unhealthy or abusive even without physical violence. Verbal abuse may not cause physical damage, but it does cause emotional pain and scarring. It can also lead to physical violence if the relationship continues on the healthy path is on.

           From the same article, Associate Professor Dale Bagshaw, from the University of South Australia's School of Social Work and Social Policy stated:

"It is the put-downs, name calling, insults, belittling, and critical statements that has the most serious and long-lasting effect on self-esteem as these messages keep repeating on the victim's mind, years after the bruises are healed."

                 He also stated:  

"Ultimately, it is the victim's self-image and self-esteem that suffers, which can lead to physical and mental illness, and behavioral problems such as drug and alcohol abuse."

          To wrap it all up, I realized that any form of abuse should not be despised or ignored because our feelings matter and sometimes words can hurt more than the physical pain that bruises and wounds give us. And based on the information I gathered, verbal abuse may lead to deeper psychological effects

            So I guess, words hurt and kill. :)