Relational abuse is when people misuse or coerce others for their own purposes. To some extent we all engage (with varying degrees of awareness) in behaviors intended to control or manipulate others; but when a relationship is characterized by a pattern of abusive behaviors, we consider it an abusive relationship. The two most well known acute forms of relational abuse are Domestic Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse. Even though these two different types of abuse might seem to have little to do with each other, the dynamic in abusive relationships is always the same. Knowing what relational abuse is, what it looks like, and the basics of how it works is one of the most important preventive and curative actions we can all take. Awareness Matters– thanks to the great crowd who showed up and joined us as we opened this important conversation, and worked to raise awareness.
