Are You in Danger Right Now?
If you feel threatened or in immediate danger, please reach out right now. You do not have to face this alone.
Get help now: USA: thehotline.org | Switzerland: www.opferhilfe-schweiz.ch | EU: National Hotlines for EU countries
Let’s Untangle This Question
Abuse is more than hitting or physical violence. It can be subtle, hidden, and manipulative, and it often makes survivors question their reality. Recognizing abuse is the first step toward feeling safe and empowered.
There are different types of Abues
Emotional/psychological abuse: constant criticism, belittling, humiliation, gaslighting, or making you doubt your memory or perception.
Verbal abuse: yelling, threats, name-calling, intimidation.
Financial abuse: controlling money, restricting access to resources, sabotaging work or career.
Sexual abuse: coercion, assault, or any sexual activity without consent.
Spiritual/religious abuse: manipulation using faith, guilt, or spiritual authority.
Digital/technological abuse: monitoring messages, stalking online, using social media to harass or shame.
In it’s essens, abues is about exerting power and control over another human begin, And that is not right. God has given us free will and we have the right to feel safe.
Examples of behaviors of power and control
- Limiting your contact with family, friends, or community
- Constantly questioning or undermining your decisions
- Making threats, direct or subtle, to control your behavior
- Gaslighting or twisting facts so you doubt your memory or perception
- Insisting on knowing where you are, who you speak with, or what you do online
- Using guilt, shame, or religious expectations to manipulate
- Withholding resources, affection, or approval to get compliance
- Small acts that make you feel anxious, unsafe, or like you “can’t get it right”
10 Questions to Ask Yourself
Sometimes it’s hard to see clearly when you’re in a difficult relationship or environment. These questions are here to gently help you reflect on your experiences and feelings. There’s no right or wrong answer, just your truth.
- Do you feel tense or anxious when you think about how someone in your life might react to you?
- Are there moments when you catch yourself walking on eggshells, trying not to upset someone?
- Do you feel that your thoughts, feelings, or opinions are often dismissed or ridiculed?
- Are there times when you feel isolated, even if you’re surrounded by people?
- Have you noticed someone controlling or monitoring parts of your life, like money, messages, or who you spend time with?
- Do you feel like you’re constantly apologizing or “making up” for things that aren’t your fault?
- Have you ever felt pressured into sexual activity or uncomfortable boundaries?
- Do you feel guilt, shame, or fear when following your own instincts or making choices?
- Does anyone in your life use religion, faith, or spiritual beliefs to control or manipulate you?
- If you think about someone you love, do you notice patterns that make you worried for their safety or wellbeing?
If any of these questions resonate, trust your instincts. You are not imagining things, and you are not alone. Even reflecting on these questions is a courageous first step. Consider reaching out to a trusted friend, a professional counselor, or one of the hotlines listed below.
“You are not defined by what happened to you. Every step you take toward safety and healing is a victory.”
– Karin Tegeman
Where to Find Help
- USA: thehotline.org
- EU: National Hotlines for EU countries
- Switzerland: www.opferhilfe-schweiz.ch
- Switzerland: https://www.bif-frauenberatung.ch/
Calling a helpline or telling a friend is something you can do even if you’re not ready to leave or create a change. Your goal is to first find clarity, support, and a sense of safety. You don’t ever have to do anything you don’t feel safe enough to do.
You are brave ♥
Reach out to a confidential hotline or online chat
Trained professionals can listen, validate your experience, and guide you to safe next steps.
Connect with a trusted friend or family member
someone who can offer emotional support or help you plan your next steps safely.
Document and keep track of incidents
Saftly note dates, behaviours, and events. This can help you provide evidence if needed, but only in a way that keeps you safe from the abuser.
Already on the rebuilding path?
Healing after abuse is hard, and you don’t have to do it alone. This gentle, faith-forward journal with prompts is designed to help you reflect, process, and rebuild at your own pace. Created by someone that actually knows the struggles that you might be facing and drawing on psychological principles that will help you heal.
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