045: Different Types of Abuse in a Relationship

Welcome back to The Communicate & Connect Podcast, where we explore the many facets of building healthy, strong, and meaningful relationships. I'm your host, Elizabeth Polinsky, and in today's episode, we're diving into a critically important and often misunderstood topic: different types of abuse in relationships.

Originally, this episode wasn't on our December 2023 schedule. However, a timely rescheduling provided a much-needed opportunity to shine a light on an issue that affects numerous couples, especially those connected to the military community. This conversation was inspired by a poignant discussion I recently came across in a military spouse Facebook group. An anonymous post described concerns over a partner's control over finances, raising the question of whether it was a case of financial abuse. The advice given by others was to leave the relationship, which sparked my desire to explore the complexities of abuse further.

In today's deep dive, we'll unravel the distinctions between situational partner violence and intimate terrorism, key concepts necessary for understanding when problematic behaviors transition from harmful to perilous. Our discussion will encompass various forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, digital, and stalking, with real-world examples to help identify these behaviors.

Understanding that abuse is not always as black-and-white as it seems is crucial in addressing and alleviating its impacts. Research shared in this episode reveals that many cases of intimate partner violence are bidirectional and situational, driven by stress and conflict rather than a calculated pattern of control.

Importantly, this episode isn't just about recognizing these issues. It's about finding pathways to healing and prevention. We’ll discuss effective resources, such as emotionally focused couples therapy, that offer couples a chance to address situational violence and improve communication and conflict resolution skills. And if you or someone you know is affected by intimate terrorism or pervasive patterns of abuse, I'll guide you on how to find help through resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

As we unpack these challenging topics, remember that these discussions might be triggering for some listeners. If you find certain parts difficult to hear, consider reaching out to military resources, like Military OneSource, or professionals who can support you through your journey to safety and recovery.

• You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here. 
• Read the show notes for this episode here.