Physical force and threats
When anyone hurts you or threatens to hurt you, it is considered physical abuse. It doesn‘t matter whether there is physical harm. It is also considered physical abuse if someone refuses to provide for your physical needs, like medicine. There is never any excuse for physically abusing someone. Often emotional abuse occurs before physical violence begins.
The consequences can have different degrees of severity. The more severe the abuse is, the more of an effect it will have on your mental health. The longer abuse occurs the more effect it can have on your health. The effects of abuse linger long after the abuse stops. The most severe consequences of physical abuse in close relationships are when someone murders their spouse or partner.
Having to witness abuse is also abuse. Children who witness abuse in their homes experience the same negative effect and as if they have been abused.
It is physical abuse when someone:
- Threatens to hurt you or others in your home.
- Threatens to hurt themselves.
- Threatens you with facial expressions or clenched fists.
- Threatens you with a weapon such as a knife or something that could be used as a weapon.
- Says they want to kill you or display behaviour that could take your life (choke you).
- Grabs you to prevent you from leaving.
- Intentionally destroys your things.
- Hurts you in any manner.
- Forces you to take medicine.
- Prohibits you from taking necessary medicines
If you want assistance, you can contact someone at Bjarkarhlíð in Reykjavík or Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri. They specialize in abuse support. It doesn‘t matter how long it has been since the abuse occurred. If the abuse occurred recently it is a good idea to get an injury report at the hospital emergency room. This report can be used if you decide to press charges due to the abuse.
Everyone, both adults and children, can also talk to someone at 1717 (Red Cross helpline).
