Silent Rights

  Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, can come in many different forms. At the root of all forms of abuse, however, is the need for the abusive partner to keep power and control over the victim. We hope that reading about all of the different forms of abuse will help you to recognize some abusive behaviors that you may not have considered to be abusive.  Domestic violence is about one person getting and keeping power and control over another person in an intimate relationship. It is a pattern of behavior in which one intimate partner uses physical vio...

Narcissists use love-bombing to keep you captured and intrigued. They’ll win you over with their charm and wit and cognitive empathy. They’ll make you feel special in ways you’ve never felt before (all through the use of cognitive empathy, of course). But the narcissist never wants you to think for yourself. If you start doing that, they’ll react. They’ll attempt to break you down and sabotage you.  They’ll make you doubt your capabilities and question your motives. Their goal is to reprogram your mind- and they’ll do whatever they can to maintain their preferred status quo.

Emotional manipulation occurs when a manipulative person seeks power over someone else and employs dishonest or exploitive strategies to gain it. Unlike people in healthy relationships, which demonstrate reciprocity and cooperation, an emotional manipulator looks to use, control, or even victimize someone else. Emotional manipulation can have many different contexts and styles, but here are some signs of manipulation... Recognize  the signs, know when they are trying to manipulate you, and stand your ground.

The narcissist's controlling, crazy-making behaviors have left you feeling afraid, depressed, and alone. Loss of identity is unavoidable after being in an emotionally abusive and manipulative relationship.   The narcissist has several resources in their toolbox for achieving this goal:   Trauma Bonding:   Rollercoasters of chronic fighting (you’re always the bad guy, of course) and fleeting moments of artificial compassion to solidify a bond based on trauma. Other than responsibilities like children and bills, these brief moments of seeming love are what keep you from leaving. Cognitive Empathy:   Objectively empathizing with you for the sole purpose of manipulating your thoughts. This empathy without compassion is a prerequisite for torture.   Imposing Guilt and Worthlessness:   When you attempt to state an opinion – even on benign things like clothing – you’re wrong. And even if you’re not wrong, the mere act of having an opinion wil...