Examples of Identity / Spiritual Abuse

  • Threatens to out partner/reveal their true sexual orientation or gender identity
  • Mocks partner’s accent, family, or country of origin
  • Makes fun of partner for not having a high school diploma or college degree (or make fun of the school where the degree or degree came from)
  • Prevents partner from worshiping at the time when -- and in the place where – they want 
  • Denies access to faith community or forces participation in a faith community their partner might not choose or be comfortable with
  • Tells partner that they aren’t practicing their religion correctly or that they belong to an inferior faith community 
  • Ignores or makes fun of partner’s religious/cultural values or beliefs
  • Uses or threatens to use partner’s immigration status against them/threatens to report partner’s immigration status to employer or government officials
  • Interferes with faith-based rituals or practices
  • Uses religion/scriptures to justify abuse
  • Uses racial, ethnic or gender-based slurs and stereotypes to belittle partner