Understanding the Communication Pattern and Emotional Abuse:Domestic Violence Victims Among Married Women

Abstract

This study aims to understand the verbal and non-verbal communication patterns and emotional abuse that ensued married women in Penang, Malaysia. It has been conducted with the involvement of ten respected respondents. Qualitative research approach with in-depth interview has taken place in this study. The findings revealed that there are two types of verbal languages, reactions or words that could cause emotional and psychological abuse. First, dishonour and disgraces words or languages and the second one are the expression of criticism and negative thought. Meanwhile, the economic difficulties, incapable in fulfilling sexual desire, concept of minimizing, blaming and lack of attention, love and care and cheating and disrespect their dignity were the consequences of non-verbal communication which led to emotional and psychological abuse. Improvement and amendment in Domestic Violence Act (1994) as an early prevention and execution has been suggested in this study to minimize the increasing number of emotional abuse victims in married women in Penang, Malaysia.