I don’t know what to think about this. At first when I started going out with Paul, we had a lot of fun. Lately, it seems like I can’t do anything right. I feel like I can’t talk about anything without making him angry. The last time we hung out with our friends, he made remarks about how I had gained weight and needed to diet. Paul knows I am sensitive about my weight, but when I asked why he did that, he told me to get over myself and that he was just joking. Abusive people often try to humiliate their targets in public and private settings. This behavior constitutes emotional abuse. They then try to make light of your feelings, by telling you that they were just joking. Your partner should not try to make you feel small or inferior.

Emotional Abuse

Being in a relationship is often a pleasant experience. However, when your actions lead to distress from your partner, it is important to respect their comfort and happiness. The relationship in this example is not a healthy one and has the potential to escalate to domestic/dating violence. If your partner is saying that the way you talk to or about them causes them to feel bad, it is time to evaluate your actions and adjust them. Downplaying your partner’s feelings does not create a healthy environment where you both can express what you want out of the relationship. Emotional abuse is often a stepping stone towards dating/domestic violence, which violates Title IX.