Spousal abuse is more common than it should be and can come in various forms, including emotional abuse. Emotional abuse is when a person attempts to control or isolate another party without necessarily using physical contact. Emotional abuse can cause more harm than physical abuse, although it will not be as evident. An abusive spouse can embarrass, isolate and humiliate you to make you behave and think the way they want you to.
They may even play the victim and accuse you of abuse and domestic violence. Because you have been a victim of emotional abuse, you may start to believe them, but you must not allow your spouse to ruin your life based on lies and manipulation.
How you can protect yourself from false domestic violence claims
You should not take false domestic violence lightly and take steps to protect yourself from your abusive spouse. They may try to turn others against you by creating false narratives and planting misleading evidence. Here are ways you can protect yourself:
- Change all your passwords in social media accounts and online banking accounts.
- Secure all other relevant accounts.
- Record your conversations with your spouse and preserve any proof of their emotional abuse towards you.
- Start building your own account of what really happened.
- Avoid contacting your spouse and meeting with them unless there are impartial witnesses.
- Talk to a criminal defense attorney with experience in domestic violence.
Emotional abuse is a form of domestic violence in Florida, where it is illegal to cause substantial emotional distress to another person that serves no legitimate purpose.
You control your story
Domestic violence charges will be overwhelming to face alone, so you can confide in close friends and relatives to tell them your side of the story. Your spouse should not fabricate lies just because they can no longer control you. You have your own life to live, one free from criminal charges.
