Emotional Abuse in Grand Rapids

Emotional abuse happens when someone uses words or actions to control, frighten, or insult another person. It differs from physical abuse because it does not leave visible marks or bruises, but it can be just as damaging as physical harm.

Emotional abuse affects people of all ages. About 36 percent of people worldwide report experiencing emotional abuse in childhood, more than any other kind, according to an article in The British Journal of Psychiatry. Roughly 30 percent of pregnant women report experiencing emotional abuse during pregnancy, double the rate of physical abuse during pregnancy. Around 5 percent of older adults also report suffering emotional maltreatment each year.

If you or someone close to you is experiencing emotional abuse in Michigan, you can take legal action with the help of a family law attorney. In cases involving children, concerned parties can ask the court to modify custody or visitation arrangements to keep the child safe. Adults experiencing domestic violence can ask the court for personal protection orders (PPOs). In cases involving elder abuse or abuse of other vulnerable adults, it may be possible to work with Adult Protective Services or the courts to protect the victim from further harm.

A compassionate lawyer from Kraayeveld Family Law can listen to your concerns in confidence, explain your legal options, and help you take steps to protect yourself and those you love from emotional or other forms of domestic abuse. Whether you need help with custody, a protection order, or a court case, we’re here to support you.

Contact us today or call 24/7 at 616-383-2679 to arrange an initial consultation and learn more about how our law firm can help you. Our office is conveniently located at 990 Monroe Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, MI. We can help!

What Are the Hallmarks of Emotional Abuse?

Emotional abuse involves saying or doing things that damage a person’s self-worth, confidence, and sense of safety. It often includes yelling, constant criticism, name-calling, threats, and silent treatment. Of course, every couple experiences conflict including some of these behaviors; however, in cases of emotional abuse, there is a clear pattern of behaviors meant to control, isolate and intimate. Couples experiencing “normal” conflict have a goal to resolve their differences. An emotionally abusive person might try to control someone else by using fear, shame, or guilt. Unlike physical injuries, emotional abuse doesn’t leave visible bruises, but it can still cause deep and lasting emotional distress and harm to mental health.

Some people use the terms emotional abuse, psychological abuse, and mental abuse interchangeably. While they do overlap, emotional abuse involves specifically targeting a person’s feelings and self-esteem, while psychological abuse often focuses more on confusion, control, and manipulation.

Over time, emotional abuse can cause victims to experience anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, and low self-esteem. Some people begin to doubt themselves or feel like they deserve the treatment. Emotional harm can affect the well-being of both adults and children, including family members, intimate partners, and household members. In relationships, emotional abuse often worsens slowly over time, making it harder to notice right away.

What Are Examples of Emotionally Abusive Behavior?

Emotional abuse can manifest in many ways, and not all of them are obvious at first. Some abusive behaviors look like those you might see in regular arguments or relationship problems, but over time, they can wear the victim down. Others feel more direct and aggressive.

The following are some common examples of emotionally abusive behaviors, which often appear together:

• Gaslighting – Gaslighting involves the abuser lying or twisting facts to make the other person question their memory, judgment, or understanding of events. Over time, the victim might stop trusting their own thoughts or feelings.
• Verbal degradation and humiliation – This type of abusive behavior includes insults, name-calling, mocking, or constant put-downs. Abusers often do this in private but might do it in front of others to embarrass or shame the person.
• Controlling or manipulative behavior – This behavior involves the abuser trying to manage the other person’s decisions, time, or actions. It might include tracking their phone, controlling their money, or demanding constant updates throughout the day.
• Isolation from friends and family – Abusers can isolate victims by discouraging or blocking their contact with others. They might tell victims that others don’t really care about the victim or get angry when the victim spends time with someone else.
• Intimidation and threats – Many abusers use fear to stay in control. They might make the victim fearful by yelling, breaking things, threatening to harm themselves or others, or warning the victim not to “push it too far.”

What Does the Law Say About Emotional Abuse in Grand Rapids, MI?

Michigan law does not generally treat emotional abuse alone as a crime unless it includes threats, stalking, or harassment that breaks other laws. However, courts in Grand Rapids can take emotional abuse into account in family law cases, such as divorce or custody matters.

If someone uses emotional abuse to control or scare another person, a judge may issue a personal protection order (PPO). A PPO can block the abuser from contacting or visiting the victim. In custody cases, the court can consider emotional abuse when deciding parenting time or living arrangements.

People experiencing emotional abuse in Grand Rapids can contact local resources for help. For example, Safe Haven Ministries and YWCA West Central Michigan offer shelter, counseling, and support.

What Is the Cycle of Emotional Abuse?

Many emotionally abusive relationships follow a repetitive pattern. The cycle can make it harder to recognize the abuse.

The following pattern does not always look the same in every relationship, but the stages often repeat in the same order:

• Tension-building – Small conflicts start to grow. The abuser might become moody, irritable, or unpredictable. The other person often tries to keep the peace, avoid arguments, or stay quiet to avoid triggering a reaction.
• Incident – The abuser lashes out through yelling, insults, threats, or other forms of emotional harm. This stage can involve name-calling, blaming, or attempts to control or frighten the victim.
• Reconciliation/false promises – After the attack, the abuser might apologize, deny the abuse, or make promises to change. They might say it won’t happen again, give gifts, or try to shift blame onto the victim.
• Calm/honeymoon phase – Things seem better for a while. The abuser might act kind or affectionate. The victim might feel hopeful or think the worst is over. But without fundamental change, the cycle usually starts again.

The emotional abuse cycle can make it difficult to leave an emotionally abusive relationship. Abusers often break the victim’s confidence over time, making them feel unworthy or powerless. Some victims hope the abuser will change, especially during the calm or apologetic stages of the cycle. Others worry about financial problems, custody of children, or where they would go if they left. Fear of being alone or judged by others can also make someone stay. Emotional abuse often causes confusion, guilt, or self-doubt, which makes it even harder to take action.

How Can a Family Law Attorney Help with Emotional Abuse Cases?

If you think you’re dealing with emotional abuse in Grand Rapids, know that you are not alone and that you don’t have to figure out your next steps on your own. A lawyer from Kraayeveld Family Law can help you understand how the law applies to your situation and what steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Contact us today or call  24/7 at 616-383-2679 for an initial consultation to learn more about the assistance our law firm can provide.