When people hear the term domestic violence, images of physical bruises, black eyes, or broken bones often come to mind. But one of the most insidious—and frequently overlooked—forms of abuse leaves no visible scars: emotional abuse.

Emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior in which one person uses manipulation, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, or control to erode another person’s sense of self-worth and autonomy. 

While it may not draw immediate attention like physical assault, emotional abuse can be equally—if not more—devastating. 

Victims often suffer in silence, unsure if what they’re experiencing "counts" as abuse, or worse, believing they are to blame.

In the United States, emotional abuse is alarmingly common. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, nearly half of all women and one-third of all men in the U.S. have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime. 

That includes name-calling, controlling behavior, gaslighting, threats, and even financial abuse—tactics designed to dominate and destabilize.

But emotional abuse isn't limited to romantic relationships. It can happen in families, workplaces, religious institutions, foster homes, or anywhere a person has power over another. 

Often, it exists alongside physical or sexual abuse, making it a dangerous foundation for escalation. 

In fact, emotional abuse is a major precursor to more violent acts, with victims at a higher risk of experiencing physical harm or even death.

What makes emotional abuse especially dangerous is that it doesn’t leave bruises you can photograph. It chips away at a person’s self-esteem, sense of safety, and trust in others over time. 

Victims may feel confused, isolated, and emotionally paralyzed, often staying in abusive environments far longer than they should due to fear, guilt, or lack of support.

In recent years, a wave of survivors and advocates have begun to pull back the curtain on emotional and psychological abuse, helping the public understand that abuse doesn’t always look violent. High-profile cases and powerful survivor testimonies have ignited national conversations around coercive control, trauma bonding, and emotional neglect—topics that were once taboo or misunderstood.

As laws slowly begin to catch up, and as support services grow more nuanced in their responses, emotional abuse is finally being recognized for what it is: a serious form of violence that destroys lives from the inside out.

Top 10 Most Shocking Emotional Abuse Cases in the U.S.

Let’s look at some of the most heartbreaking, high-profile, and instructive emotional abuse cases from across the United States. 

These stories offer not just grim reminders of how far abuse can go, but also valuable lessons on resilience, justice, and the urgent need for systemic change.

1. Cassie Ventura vs. Sean “Diddy” Combs (2025)

Singer Cassie Ventura testified in a federal sex-trafficking trial against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging a decade of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. 

She described being coerced into non-consensual acts, enduring violent assaults, and experiencing severe psychological manipulation that derailed her career. Despite a prior $20 million civil settlement, Ventura's detailed courtroom testimony brought renewed attention to the case. 

2. Halle Bailey's Restraining Order Against DDG (2025)

Actress and singer Halle Bailey was granted a temporary restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr. (DDG), citing ongoing emotional, physical, and financial abuse. 

Bailey reported incidents including physical assault, property damage, and online harassment, leading her to seek sole custody of their child and supervised visitation for DDG. 

3. Cristina Pangalangan's Death Due to Neglect (2019)

Thirteen-year-old Cristina Pangalangan, who had cerebral palsy and was non-verbal, died from hyperthermia after being left in a hot car for nearly six hours while her mother and boyfriend engaged in drug use nearby. 

The case highlighted severe neglect and emotional abandonment, leading to murder and child abuse convictions for both adults involved. 

4. Turpin Family Abuse Case (2018)

David and Louise Turpin were convicted of torturing and emotionally abusing their 13 children over decades. The children were subjected to extreme isolation, starvation, and psychological manipulation, with some chained to beds for extended periods. 

The case shocked the nation and raised concerns about unnoticed familial abuse. 

5. Gravelle Foster Child Abuse Cases (2003)

Michael and Sharen Gravelle were found guilty of abusing their 11 adopted children by confining them in cage-like enclosures and subjecting them to strict, punitive measures under the guise of therapy. 

The case brought attention to the need for oversight in adoptive and foster care systems. 

6. Murder of Elisa Izquierdo (1995)

Six-year-old Elisa Izquierdo suffered prolonged emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her mother, leading to her death. Despite multiple reports to child welfare services, interventions were insufficient. 

Her case led to the enactment of "Elisa's Law," aimed at reforming child protective services. 

7. Murder of Sylvia Likens (1965)

Teenager Sylvia Likens was subjected to months of emotional and physical torture by her caregiver, Gertrude Baniszewski, and others, culminating in her death. 

The case is one of the most notorious instances of child abuse in U.S. history, highlighting the dangers of unchecked domestic environments. 

8. Hart Family Murders (2018)

Jennifer and Sarah Hart murdered their six adopted children in a murder-suicide by driving off a cliff. Prior to the incident, the children were subjected to emotional abuse, including food deprivation and isolation.

The case raised questions about the monitoring of adoptive families and child welfare. 

9. Theresa Knorr's Abuse of Her Children (1980s)

Theresa Knorr inflicted severe emotional and physical abuse on her children, including confinement, beatings, and psychological torment. Her actions led to the deaths of two daughters and highlighted the extreme consequences of unchecked familial abuse. 

10. Jamie's Story of Domestic Abuse

Jamie endured over six years of emotional, mental, and financial abuse from her partner, leading to isolation and psychological trauma. Her story underscores the challenges victims face in recognizing and escaping abusive relationships.