Healthy Habits: Avoid Reactive Abuse

 This is not a topic people often talk about. In reactive abuse, the offender tries not to leave "evidence" and skillfully performs his task — to expose the partner to blame for what happened. Health Reporter has decided to highlight the razor-thin line between "reactive abuse" and "actual abuse." And, most importantly, to figure out how to disarm your abuser.

Think about this for a moment. Someone's partner abuses them over a lengthy time, either physically, psychologically, emotionally, or financially. There comes a breaking point in the abused person, and they strike out at their tormentor. The moment the victim does this, the abuser switches gears and claims the abuse is being directed at them. Is it true? Of course not – you just became a victim of reactive abuse when someone calls you abusive because you fought back against their abuse.

How can you know if you are in this cycle? Try to identify the three most important steps. 

The first is antagonism, where the perpetrator attempts to provoke the victim to elicit a response. The abuser may assault the victim verbally or physically to get this reaction. Then comes the proof, when the abuser uses the victim's responses as evidence that the victim is a violent individual, enabling them to handle the problem in their own way. This is when manipulation starts. Finally, the abuser turns the tables and starts blaming the victim, accusing them of being aggressive and taking responsibility for everything that transpired.

Health Reporter gives 5 simple tips to come out of this vicious cycle:

  1. Act as though the abuser's actions don't matter. 

  2. Talk to a professional. A mental health professional can help you find ways to deal with reactive abuse. 

  3. Avoid getting in touch with the abuser; doing so lowers the likelihood that reactive abuse may occur. 

  4. Recognize the manipulation.

  5. Call emergency lines or your local police department when necessary.

If you know how to respond to your abuser's actions, you can avoid reactive abuse and even stop it from happening. This may be hard, but it will help you protect yourself in the long run.

 

More information about the study conducted by Health Reporter: https://healthreporter.com/reactive-abuse/