Oh wow. What a way to greet Valentine’s Day with this post but it’s always a good time to be socially responsible (at least for once). Love can hurt. But not in kinky S&M way that you might be thinking of. Having a relationship with a violent partner is far from ideal. Yes, there are good days in these relationships - but then the bad days are really bad.

Are you in a destructive relationship? It is said that having arguments and even fighting among couples is normal and essential to maintain a healthy relationship. But this only applies to moderate frequency of conflicts. The first step towards liberating yourself out of this kind of relationship is to accept that the relationship you’re in is a mistake.

You should be very aware of the kinds of abuses you’re letting yourself fall victim to. The most common type of abuse is physical. Slapping, hitting, kicking, spitting, biting, pushing, and the like, including killing are needless to say, serious violent acts. Forced sexual activity as well as emotional and verbal abuse are also clear signs telling you that it’s about time you pack your bags.

Violence has a long history. You might be surprised to find yourself with a violent partner when there was no early sign of violent tendencies when you were still getting to know each other. Most of the time, the roots of violence dates back to the aggressive person’s past. A boy, for example, who grew up witnessing his father violating his mother will either grow up to be exactly the opposite of his father, or exactly the same.

Cases of violence among couples show a lack of emotional maturity. The usual manifestations of emotional abuse include: jealousy, extreme possessiveness, cursing, and even suicidal threats. In some cases, emotional abuse is even far worse than any physical pain.

Don’t limit yourself to this pitiful state. Believe that you deserve something more. Don’t be afraid to ask help. There are local organizations and foundations willing to help you out. Remember that it won’t stop unless you do something about it.