Verbally Abusive Men
Verbally abusive men are among the most common type of abuser. These men, rather than hitting their families, resort to verbal assaults in order to intimidate and control. There are many characteristics that are associated with verbally abusive men, and all of which can be seen prior to the abuse occurring. However, while common, it is much harder for the abused to be identified because they do not carry any physical wounds. Because of this, friends may never suspect abuse of happening, which can make getting support especially difficult.
Below, you will find common characteristics of verbally abusive men.
1: Controlling
Verbally abusive men tend to want to control every single aspect of their environment. This can range to when dinner is served, behavior in the household, and behavior out of the household. Some men may even try to control who you speak to or otherwise socialize with.
2: Self Centered.
Self centered men, who only care about their own comfort and lifestyle, are at higher risk of being abusive than men who are more compassionate. Apathy towards family members and friends is a red flag that abuse is a possibility.
3: Jealous
It may seem odd, but jealous men, or men who are afraid their family will leave them, are also the men who are most likely to become verbally abusive. Possessive tendencies can be especially dangerous, as they make it harder for family members to escape abuse.
4: Aggressive
Verbally abusive men may not resort to physical violence, but they have no quarrels with being aggressive towards their loved ones. Aggressive behavior can range from shouting, using degrading speech, waving fists and posturing. The more aggressive the man becomes, the higher the risk that verbal abuse will evolve to physical abuse.
Because the damage inflicted by verbally abusive men is emotional, it is hard to judge if someone is being abused or not. If you have friends you suspect are being abused, getting them to admit so is often difficult. Low self esteem and shame are big factors in this. However, you should tread carefully around abused individuals, as your assistance can sometimes cause more harm than good.
If you know someone who is being abused, you can contact help lines, support groups, or gather resources that can assist you in proceeding without risking your friends or loved ones. Verbal abuse often leads to domestic violence incidents, and should be treated as a serious matter.