EMOTIONAL WOUND THESAURUS

DOMESTIC ABUSE



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HELPFUL TIP:

Emotional wounds will steer a character's behavior, corrupt his worldview, and cause negative traits to form. To understand exactly how this occurs, please read our tutorial for the Wound Thesaurus.

NOTE: We realize that sometimes a wound we profile may have personal meaning, stirring up the past for some of our readers. It is not our intent to create emotional turmoil. Please know that we research each wounding topic carefully to treat it with the utmost respect.
NOTES:
Domestic abuse is any ongoing pattern of behaviour by an intimate partner intended to exert power and control over another. It can be physical, sexual, psychological, and verbal in nature.

EXAMPLES:
Constant accusations of things the victim isn't guilty of, such as cheating, lying, or disrespect
Verbally shaming the victim (at home, in public, or around family members)
Distancing or isolating the victim from family and friends
Controlling the victim's money and finances and making important decisions for them
Dictating the victim's physical appearance (hairstyle, clothing choices, makeup, etc.)
Physical violence and threatening the victim through words, facial expressions, and posture
Pressuring the victim to have sex or forcing her into sexual activity she isn't comfortable with
Stalking (online and off)
Destroying the victim's property or threatening their loved ones and pets
The perpetrator blaming the victim for the abusive behavior
Gaslighting (manipulation using denial, misdirection, and contradiction to disorient a victim, causing them to question their own sanity, abilities, actions, and beliefs)

WOUND CATEGORY:
Crime and Victimization, Misplaced Trust and Betrayals, Traumatic Events

BASIC NEEDS OFTEN COMPROMISED BY THIS WOUND:

physiological needs, safety and security, love and belonging, esteem and recognition, self-actualization


LIES THAT MAY DEVELOP FOR CHARACTERS WITH THIS WOUND:
If they were more intelligent (or a better wife, husband, etc.), the abuser wouldn't treat them this way
They're defective and don't deserve any better
They're weak and always will be
If you love someone deeply enough, they'll change
This is what love is
Letting people get too close results in the loss of your power

THE CHARACTER MAY FEAR:
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POSSIBLE RESPONSES AND RESULTS:
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POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES THAT MAY RESULT:
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NEGATIVE TRAITS THAT MAY RESULT:
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TRIGGERS THAT MIGHT AGGRAVATE THIS WOUND:
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STEPS TOWARD HEALING:
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OPPORTUNITIES TO FACE OR OVERCOME THIS WOUND:
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