Although some relationships are mutually abusive, more frequently there is an imbalance of power in abusive relationships. While abuse may take the form of physical violence, abuse can also occur on an emotional and verbal level. Here are some steps to help you deal with an abusive partner.

Each of us has some typical images in mind: an ideal man, an ideal mother, miss Perfection and so on. It doesn’t mean we try to make our fellow mates fit all these criteria. But cliches can help us understand what we want.