In a healthy relationship, each of the couple’s voice is heard and respected. There may be differences and conflicts, but in the end, both know that their perspectives and ideas are valued.

Sometimes, someone might be nervous to bring up a topic because they may want to avoid their own discomfort or they don’t want to rock the boat (conflict-avoidant). That is not real ‘fear’ that one might experience in an abusive situation. Abuse has been defined as ‘intimate terrorism’; always being afraid of the next blow-up, never knowing when it might come and what form it might take. It might be threats, intimidation, violence, aggression, control, name-calling, mind games, force, preventing the other from doing things they have a right to do. These are all forms of abuse, coercion and control.

Learn more www.adaiad.org/end-the-abuse