This section links to a clear, printable PDF that explains emotional abuse using the iceberg model. It shows how emotional abuse and coercive control can look harmless or even positive on the surface, while serious harm is happening underneath. The resource helps people understand why emotional abuse is often missed, minimised, or misunderstood in families, relationships, and domestic abuse situations.
The PDF clearly sets out common hidden behaviours of emotional abuse, such as control, gaslighting, blame, silent treatment, fear of speaking, loss of confidence, and constantly trying to keep the peace. It also highlights how the person causing harm may appear calm, friendly, helpful, or well liked to others, which often leads to victims not being believed. The key message is direct and important: if a relationship makes someone feel afraid, confused, or smaller, it is abuse.
This emotional abuse awareness resource is suitable for adults, including parents, carers, survivors, social workers, teachers, therapists, domestic abuse practitioners, and other professionals working with families, children, young people, and adults affected by domestic violence. It is useful for training, safeguarding discussions, casework, psychoeducation, and professional reflection.
The visual format makes it particularly effective for explaining emotional abuse, validating lived experience, and supporting conversations about unhealthy relationships, trauma, wellbeing, and power and control. It can be used in professional settings or shared with adults who are questioning their experiences and need clear language that names what is happening.
