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What is Emotional Abuse?

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:34 am
by _Mercury
Abuse is any behavior that is designed to control and subjugate another human being through the use of fear, humiliation, intimidation, guilt, coercion, manipulation etc.

Emotional abuse is any kind of abuse that is emotional rather than physical in nature. It can include anything from verbal abuse and constant criticism to more subtle tactics, such as repeated disapproval or even the refusal to ever be pleased.


What are the laws pertaining to "legal persons" who commit emotional abuse?

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:48 am
by _Imapiratewasher
I think there is more to emotional abuse than stated in your quote box. If the use of emotional abuse is in a domestic environment then in some cases the abuser can be charged and depending on how severe can even be sentenced. In the case of abuse via a forum or message board, it is unlikely to be taken serious unless inflicting serious pshychological/emotional well being, to a degree of physical self harm, or mental illness.

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:53 am
by _Imapiratewasher
"Legal persons" commiting abuse. You mean legal persons as in people who have authority and responsibility? Hmm... I can't help you there, that is more a legislation matter than abuse. The chances are that people who hold a legal responsibility of professionalism will not get away with emotional abuse lightly, unless they have a good lawyer and find lots of loopholes. Again it depends on the scale of abuse.

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:56 am
by _KimberlyAnn
From what I understand, in the United States, emotional abuse of an adult is not illegal.

I certainly hope there are instances where it would be illegal for an adult to emotionally abuse a minor child.

Why do you ask, Merc?

KA

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:56 am
by _Jersey Girl
Mercury,

What do you mean by "legal persons"?

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:03 am
by _Imapiratewasher
It's quite sad that abuse is the only topic I understand. Maybe I should do a degree in this.

Merc is someone emotionally abusing you?

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:05 am
by _Mercury
Imapiratewasher wrote:"Legal persons" commiting abuse. You mean legal persons as in people who have authority and responsibility?


I mean corporations, specifically in the US.

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:05 am
by _The Nehor
Seems a broad definition unless we want to call parenting abuse.

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:06 am
by _Mercury
Imapiratewasher wrote:It's quite sad that abuse is the only topic I understand. Maybe I should do a degree in this.

Merc is someone emotionally abusing you?


No, no one is abusing me but I had a rough early and mid childhood. Its complicated, mostly because of teh transient nature of my parental figures.

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:09 am
by _Mercury
The Nehor wrote:Seems a broad definition unless we want to call parenting abuse.


You do not understand. Go play elsewhere, imp.