A WOMEN’S ISSUE
VIOLENCE against women and girls is always a women’s issue. The victims must have done or said something to attract the abuse.
It is always the fault of women when men perpetrate violence against them. In intimate partner violence, women must have acted up or spoken rashly to invite a slap, a push, or a brutal attack.
Why do people stay in abusive relationships?
Being in an abusive relationship often feels like being lost in a forest without a compass. You may think you are making progress in finding your way out, only to realise that you are back at square one.
Initially, most abusive relationships begin like any other, with two people falling in love, forming a connection, and making a commitment to each other.
However, once someone realises that their partner is abusive, breaking away becomes incredibly challenging due to the intricacies of their intertwined lives.
In addition, they may still hold feelings of love for their abusive partner. Unfortunately, many abusive partners are skilled manipulators, resorting to tactics such as gaslighting and emotional abuse.
These tactics often lead the abused person to believe that they deserve the mistreatment, that their actions caused the negative response, or that they cannot survive without their partner.
All of these factors contribute to the daunting task of leaving, assuming leaving is even something the abused person wants to do.
It is important to emphasise that individuals trapped in abusive relationships do not always actively seek a way out. For some, the desire lies in improving their connection with their partner, striving for a happier and healthier dynamic.
However, attaining this lofty goal can be an arduous and complex journey, often necessitating the assistance of couples counselling.
Abusive relationships encompass a wide range of n many cases, survivors long for a transformation in their partnership, hoping that their abusive partner will change or that they can somehow mend the damage inflicted.
Nevertheless, navigating the path toward a more positive and balanced relationship without professional intervention can prove immensely difficult.
Couples counselling offers a structured and safe environment where both partners can openly express their concerns, fears, and desires with the guidance of a trained therapist.
Through couples’ therapy, survivors of abuse can gain insight into the dynamics of their relationship and develop effective communication strategies that promote mutual respect and understanding.
This process often includes exploring the root causes of abusive behaviours, examining power imbalances, and addressing unresolved issues from the past.
Additionally, couples counselling can help survivors set boundaries and establish healthy coping mechanisms that protect their well-being within the relationship.
Therapists are skilled at identifying dysfunctional patterns and providing tools to confront and transform them.
Ultimately, couples counselling offers a supportive framework for individuals in abusive relationships who wish to rebuild their connection but find themselves grappling with the challenges that lie ahead.
It equips them with the necessary skills, guidance, and resources to engage in the difficult work of healing and establishing a healthier partnership, should both parties commit to the process.