In England and Wales, an estimated 2.3 million adults from 16 to 74 years experienced domestic abuse from 2019 to 2020.
In every three domestic abuse cases in the UK, two victims are women, and one is a man. However, emotional trauma in the home is a global problem. There is only less than 40 percent of women experiencing abuse or trauma who seek out help.
Unfortunately, you likely have family members and friends quietly experiencing spousal abuse with your knowledge. You must understand that they may not be able to remove themselves from their situation easily. Also, it may take years for them to come to terms with their situation.
While you can rarely solve the situation for them, there are ways to show them your love and support while they figure out their next steps.
How to Support a Loved One Through Domestic Abuse
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Pay Attention to Warning Signs
Abuse can take many forms. It won’t always have physical manifestations. More so, abuse can be a combination of different kinds of violence. You can learn about the dynamics, warning signs, and effects of domestic violence and abuse. This can help you look out for them better.
Another area to pay attention to are signs of depression that may stem from their experiences. See if they exhibit any of these behaviours.
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Give Them Time
It takes a lot of energy and time to admit they are being abused. It is difficult to accept that someone they trusted can harm them. They may have a hard time opening up to anyone else. Forcing them to extract themselves from an abusive relationship is also harmful. Give them time to share what they can, only when they are ready.
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Reach Out
Sometimes, people living with depression or trauma do not always know how to seek help. At times, abusers withhold contact from their families or loved ones. As a result, it is not easy for them to trust others. So, send them a message or call them as often as they permit while also minding their safety.
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Listen Without Judgment
Abuse victims tend to be blamed for not leaving their spouse. However, abusers use manipulation to break down the confidence of their victims. When a victim leaves, they need open ears to share their fears and experiences. Once they detect judgment, they may recoil again. So, don’t force a confession or an abrupt life change.
Encourage them to Seek Listening Support
Those with emotional trauma are like to experience bouts of anger, anxiety, and depression. You can gently advocate for professional listening help, so they may get the proper support and help for their situation. Start with advisors available to take their call 24/7.
Here’s how listening help can fully support those going through spousal abuse:
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Validation
Abuse victims may become naturally doubtful of the intentions of others. So, getting them to believe your support may not be as easy as saying: “I believe you.”
They may look at how you express your support and how much time you give into genuinely supporting them. In addition, they may not react the same way someone who has not gone through trauma will in certain situations. They may go through tides of anxiety, positive and negative emotions.
Advisors are trained to effectively validate their feelings and experiences.
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Affirmation
Many trauma survivors feel unsure of their safety and capacity to overcome their situations. It’s essential to create a safe space for them to share. Emotional help creates a non-judgmental space to discuss their fear. Trained advisors know how to assure survivors that they are not to blame for how they were treated.
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Safety and Privacy
Listening help advisors provide guidance while ensuring the safety and privacy of the caller. They can share encouragement, valuable sources, and support groups with those experiencing domestic trauma.
Receive Emotional Support in the UK Today
No matter what you’re going through, having a safe, private space to express how you feel without fear of being judged is a blessing. That’s what Talking for Therapy and our team of trained listening advisors would love to provide for you. Schedule a call today to start a healing journey with a simple chat. Let’s talk about YOU.
