Verbal Abuse: Is It A Crime?

Yes !!! Verbal abuse is just as bad as physical abuse...really it is worse...physical abuse the scars go away and verbal abuse they are always there......

Absoloutely without question, verbal abuse can be just as dangerous as physical abuse when an individual is repeatedly exposed to negative verbal comments. One of the most common things we hear of is what is called "Battered Woman Syndrome", which despite common belief does not solely apply to women exposed to physical abuse. A women who is constantly critisized and possibly threatened can one day "snap" and kill their abuser. In our legal system this is an acceptable defense very closely related to "self-defense".

I totally agree verbal abuse is just as abusive as physixal... It does the same emotional damage ans physical if not more.When someone tells you something u think about it over and over again.

The theory is a very much needed solution to an old, ongoing problem, however I'd have to agree that it would surely take long, drawn out, creative evidence-gathering for effective prosecution. I suffer this abuse weekly, though I left the abuser for seven months and came back, just as we abused women are often convinced to do. It is truly a control issue with him, though I refuse to give in to his demands, so he ridicules me to tears and constantly bad mouths me to his friends and family. Because I'm both private and extremely embarrassed I don't tell, but would feel great knowing there was an option and that someone cared and could do something about it. It's definitely worth the effort to enact the law.

i think this kind of abuse is underestimated because all other kinds of abuse just a result. i agree that government should pay much more attention to it.

Through out my life I have been exposed to both physical and verbal abuse... I got over the physical effects but the verbal abuse is an ongoing thing that I work with every single day..PS kudos to my wonderful therapist

I think that verbal abuse is the worst type of absue. I looked at it tis way. A black eye will heal and you can put the incident in the back of your mind. But when someone belittles you it seems to be harder for you to put that in the back of your mind.

I think this is a great idea. Sometimes verbal abuse is even more damaging than physical. You don't just heal in a few days from the effects. I know that I myself can say that I am affected mentally 20 years later from verbal abuse in my past.

Think It could be a good idea to help the people the truly need and want the help! And Yes just like phyiscal, emotional abuse, verbal abuse is no diff'.

Finally!!!! Verbal abuse can be as damaging as physical abuse alot of the time. You may not have the physical scars, but emotional and psychological scars very often never go away. I think it's time for more than just France to step up and call abuse ABUSE!! Unfortunately, trying to enforce it here would be a nightmare, as too many people take advantage of and misuse the system, so when some of us really need it, we're not taken seriously. So sad~

I believe that it would be good to have a law for this, that said, you have to: 1) People in law enforcement that are willing to enforce the law. 2) Education for the abused people.. How to recognize, prove, prevent, to get free, record & report verbal abuse. Usually these people come from families that are controlling & verbally abusive and think this is normal. Verbal abuse is not always vicious, vile, or vulgar. Verbal abuse can be very subtle and sneaky, used to control the person in question. When you choose not to allow verbal abuse, it can lead to : 1) Abandonment and isolation from family and friends 2) escalation to physical abuse 3) empowerment, if you walk away Empowerment is when you set boundaries and move on to healthy relationships. This requires having a healthy support group or the stamina to find one. Most people are not willing to invest time in people that have been emotionally scarred.

I think this is a good idea in principle, but enforcing it will be a nightmare. Not to mention it will likely open up the floodgates of people who can easily misuse this type of law to suit their own purposes.

I was a victim of both.They are both horrible.Bruises heal,the heart does not.

Verbal Abuse can cause serious problems for its victims. I especially think it is horrible when a parent abuses a child. I think it should definitely be illegal, I know a woman who constantly verbally abuses her husband and children. I always wish there was someone I could report her to, but since verbal abuse does not leave visable scars I would need her to be caught in the act.

France is definitely on top of it. No one should have to deal with abuse of any kind. Often one thing leads to another. If one is capable of verbally abusing and degrading a spouse, physical abuse may not be far behind. It is all a control thing. And what of verbal and psychological abuse to children? I have been in public places and heard the most vile things said to little ones! Anywhere from name calling to threats to vicious and vulgar language! If a law was in place, the public could call these parents on it and help the victims.