Abuse isn’t always easy to spot, especially when it’s not physical. Many of the tactics used by abusers are designed to be subtle and have you questioning whether they actually did anything wrong.
Let’s shed some light on emotional abuse. It’s been taboo for far too long…
I’ve experienced emotional abuse firsthand and I know what a devastating impact it can have even after you’ve walked away from your abuser. From a battered sense of self-esteem, to dysfunctional relationships moving forward, not knowing who you are anymore, and ongoing mental health issues, it can take years for the scars to heal.
The goals of the Just As I Am campaign:
- To raise awareness of emotional abuse and share the signs to look out for
- To give people the space and autonomy to share their stories
- To spread the message that you are enough, just as you are and that you deserve a life filled with happiness
Signs of Emotional Abuse and Coercive Control:
- Preventing or discouraging you from spending time with friends and family members
- Insulting, belittling, or embarrassing you, especially in front of other people
- Destroying your belongings
- Calling you names or making derogatory remarks
- Making you doubt your own sanity by telling you you’re misremembering things or that you’re being too sensitive or dramatic in response to things they do
- Making threats to harm you or themself
- Controlling aspects of your life such as your finances, how you spend your time, what you access on your phone etc
- Pressuring you to perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with
- Intentionally withholding affection or using silent treatment as a punishment
#1 Share a Selfie
- Snap a photo of yourself holding a note that says “I am enough.”
- Upload the photo to Instagram with the hashtag #justasiamcampaign
- Tag me @its_aimeerebecca so I can send you virtual hugs!
#2 Share Your Experience
If you’ve experienced an emotionally abusive relationship and you’re comfortable sharing your story, I’d love to include you in my upcoming campaign. This is about sharing our experiences so we can all feel a little less alone and it’s a way of spreading awareness so that people who are still in coercive and emotionally abusive relationships can recognise the signs.
I’ll be sharing all the stories on my website (if you’re happy to share your identity, you can but it’s completely optional. Anonymity will be completely respected). Then I’ll be sharing excepts on Instagram and TikTok.
Thank you for sharing ❤️