We hear a lot about physical abuse and domestic violence, but it seems like nobody is talking about just how damaging emotional and/or financial abuse can be for a person. Though anyone can be intimidated by a significant other during an argument, men are more likely to engage in emotional or financial abuse behaviors during confrontation. And, these behaviors aren’t always labeled as “abuse.” As a society, we’re more likely to overlook intimidating behaviors if they only occur during arguments, or if the behaviors aren’t physical, or if there are no bruises or injuries. Even though the Utah domestic abuse code is obscure, using intimidation is still a form of domestic abuse.
Yelling
A lot of people yell during an argument but just because a behavior is normal, doesn’t mean it’s acceptable. And, if your partner yells at you because they know it makes you feel uncomfortable, that’s a big problem. It’s normal for people to speak louder and faster when they’re in stressful and emotional situations. But if your significant other is yelling at you because they know it will make you too afraid to speak up for yourself, or continue the conversation, it’s a form of domestic abuse. Your significant other should not attempt to end arguments by making you so scared that you just give up and do whatever they want.
Not Respecting Your Space and Privacy
When emotions run high, people say things and behave in manners they wouldn’t normally. However, another person should never invade your personal space during an argument. Though body language during an argument is vastly different from everyday body language, your partner should never physically get up in your face during a disagreement. If you are stepping back from your partner in an argument, your partner shouldn’t continue advancing toward you. And, your significant other should never have you cornered against a wall while they’re arguing with you. Women in heterosexual relationships are particularly susceptible to the aforementioned experiences since they’re often smaller than their partners. Just because the Utah domestic abuse code doesn’t classify it as illegal, doesn’t mean it isn’t a form of domestic violence.
Pushing
A lot of people who were intimidated by their partner’s aggression rarely report their partner’s behavior if it failed to cause them injury. Many people think, “what am I going to do? Call the police because my partner lightly shoved me?” While you may feel as though these incidents are not enough to warrant a police report, they are signs that your partner may have a violent propensity. Behaviors like pushing, shaking, grabbing, and lunging are all forms of physical aggression are never okay. If you do not feel the need to contact the authorities, you need to at the very least inform a trusted friend or family member. In Salt Lake County, you can contact a domestic violence advocate for non-emergency assistance. And, statewide, you can contact the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition. If you feel as though you are in danger at any point, do not hesitate to contact the police.
Damaging Items
During a fight, your significant other should never throw or hit any objects around you. It doesn’t matter if your partner wasn’t throwing the objects at you or hitting walls. Being around someone who has lost control of their temper to the point where there is a physical manifestation of their anger is a terrifying experience. If a person needs to throw things or hit a wall in order to express themself, they are in need of extensive professional help. Do not tolerate this behavior, even if your significant other has never physically hurt you.
Re-evaluating the Relationship
If your significant other engages in the aforementioned behaviors, it may be time to reevaluate your relationship. If your significant other has already physically injured you, the time to leave is now. After your significant other has engaged in violent behavior, that person isn’t thinking about how to prevent it in the future, he or she is wondering how to drop domestic violence charges in Utah. If you need help exiting an abusive relationship, the domestic violence hotline or the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition may be able to direct you to resources. Again, even if abusers apologize, they’re not thinking about changing, they’re wondering how to drop domestic violence charges in Utah.
Protecting Yourself
If you don’t feel safe in your relationship 100% of the time, it’s time to leave. At CoilLaw, we can help you leave a marriage that’s been damaged by domestic violence. But we don’t just handle divorce. The technical name for a domestic violence lawyer is “family law attorney.” So if you need to hire a domestic violence lawyer in Salt Lake City, you can actually hire one of our attorneys at CoilLaw. Our experienced team can help you obtain a protective order, even if you’re not married to your abuser. If you know you need to make a change, contact CoilLaw today.
