Psychological violence

Signs/characteristics

Psychological violence is often less discernible than physical violence, for instance, because it does not leave visible wounds or scars. In many cases, it is neither immediately recognised as such by the women affected, nor by others who know the person concerned.

Moreover, psychological violence often starts as a slow and treacherous process involving transgressions that cross a given line. The women affected generally do not perceive it as such for a long time. Usually, it is very difficult to prosecute someone for having committed psychological violence.

Various forms of violence are frequently intertwined. Violence is very often perpetrated repeatedly and the severity of the violence exercised by the abusers frequently increases. The women affected usually experience psychological violence in their close social environment.