Clinical Psychologist and Psychiatrist Dr Emmanuel Azusong has warned that minor changes in a woman’s behaviour are often the earliest and most reliable signs that she may be experiencing domestic abuse.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Friday, November 21, during a discussion triggered by a viral video of a man violently assaulting his wife, Dr Azusong said families must pay close attention to these early signals.
“One of the first and most common things we notice is that there will be a change in the behaviour of the woman. Most of these things will not come to the attention of psychiatrists or clinical psychologists. It would be family members or a relative who would notice these changes and patterns.”
He said relatives should treat such changes seriously, especially when a woman begins defending her partner in situations where she normally would not.
“They tend to defend their husbands because they know that if they do not defend their husbands, and the husbands hear something outside, then it is going to be a difficult situation for them later on,” he said.
Earlier in the interview, Dr Azusong said many abusers share similar psychological traits.
“For a lot of abusive men, you realise that the abuse is not only towards women. It is something that is in their nature, in their thinking, in their upbringing,” he said.
“Most of these people may have some personality disorders, like narcissistic personality disorders and controlling behaviours, where they have been brought up by society to think that, as men, they should dominate affairs of the house.”
He added that some abusers even derive satisfaction from causing pain. Referring to the viral assault video, he said, “You would notice that this man wanted to still have sex with the woman despite all of the controlling and demeaning nature. Some men gain sexual pleasure by just inducing pain on the woman.”
Dr Azusong said that excessive control over a woman’s daily routine is one of the clearest indicators of abuse.
“If you are discussing with a wife or a woman who sees every single thing, every decision, they have to ask the husband… it is a red flag,” he warned.
He shared a case from his time working in the Upper West Region to illustrate the extreme impact of such control.
He recounted how a woman in labour refused life-saving surgery until she could seek permission from her husband, who was at home asleep.
“This is a red flag of a controlling behaviour. This is a red flag of a woman who is likely enduring some form of domestic abuse,” he said.
Dr Azusong added that long-term abuse manifests physically and emotionally. “In their appearance, the way in which they dress changes. They no longer take care of their hair or whatever they wear,” he said.
Referring again to the viral video, he said, “Looking at the video, it’s a 32-year-old woman. If you look at her, you would think she is far older because of the abuse she is going through. They also lose their confidence and self-esteem. If you are talking with them, they begin to shake and tremble.”