Verbal abuse is cruel. One in four women admits to being verbally abused. Experts feel the figure is much higher because many women never discuss verbal abuse. Indeed, some do not even recognize that they are being verbally abused. Often a verbal abuser is quite sensitive to outsiders finding out about the abuse and is very careful to save these scenes for the home environment only.
Many verbal abusers are delightful, charming men in public.
Children don't really count until they are grown or begin to tell others about this treatment. Indeed, the children are often abused, too. One of the most devastating effects of living with a verbal abuser is the change in self-esteem. As women begin to internalize the criticism and believe it's valid, self-image sinks lower and lower. They start feeling worthless, incompetent, unlovable.