Read our blog from last week: How to Identify Signs of Verbal Abuse.

Physical abuse is often the category of abuse that is most recognized, thought of, and talked about when we discuss domestic abuse/intimate partner violence.

The reason this is often thought of as the most common is because it is the easiest to actually see. We can see the bruises, cuts, scars, and marks on someone's body instead of the emotional and “hidden” other areas of abuse. 

Physical abuse is inflicting or attempting to inflict physical injury upon another person.

It can be any of the following:

• Slapping

• Pinching

• Hitting

• Kicking

• Shoving

• Pushing

• Grabbing

• Strangulation

• Scratching

• Throwing things at or near someone

• Physically holding someone down or moving them

• Spitting

• Biting

• Burning

• Pulling on someone’s hair

• Non-consensual rough play

• Stabbing

• Shooting

• Withholding physical needs from someone (food or sleep)

• Locking someone in a room

• Refusing to help if one is sick or injured

• and many more..

Physical abuse can lead to results with lacerations, bruises, broken bones, internal injuries, brain damage, miscarriages, disfigurement, disability and can be lethal (accidental or intentional).

Injury does not always need to be a major one requiring a hospital visit but should not be minimized because it is still a serious red flag and we need help to not have things escalate and or get more severe. 

The most serious and underrated form of a red flag in an abusive relationship with physical abuse (or one to be aware of if we think there is abuse) is strangulation. If there has been strangulation (commonly referred to as choking). We have seen concerning statistics correlated with strangulation, domestic violence, homicides, and mass shootings. When strangulation is noted in a restraining order or a relationship that has had that type of abuse the more likely the person who strangled someone is to commit homicide because of the power and control dynamics of ultimately taking someone's life.

Another part of strangulation that is not often talked about is that if you or someone you know has been strangled in a relationship they need to still get medical attention and have brain scans completed.

If there has been a time where someone has blacked out or lost body control there could be lasting impacts on the brain. It cannot be stressed enough how serious this and other forms of physical abuse should be taken. If you have had any of these in your relationship please see the red flags and reach out for help for yourself, your children (if there are some involved), and your partner/relationship. 

It can be hard to recognize the signs of abuse and then take steps to actively stop it especially when it’s with someone you love. You are not alone and we are here for you! We help couples every day deal with situations just like yours. Contact us today or click the button below to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation with our Intake Coordinator.

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THERAPIST SPOTLIGHT

Lindsey Ritter-Ingorvaia, AMFT, APCC

Lindsey specializes in helping LGBTQIA+ couples by providing couples with honesty, trust, and compassion as well as understanding that there are parts of your identity and experience that don’t fit heteronormative roles or expectations.

Lindsey offers in-person couples counseling and marriage therapy in Murrieta, CA and online couples counseling in California.

If you’d like to book a session with Lindsey you can click the button below or contact us here!