Psychological Violence Explained from a Forensic Psychology Perspective

In clinical practice and the forensic field, a reality that is difficult to name frequently emerges: people suffering from deep psychological distress without being able to point to a blow, an injury, or evident proof.
From forensic psychology, this type of harm has a name and a framework for analysis: psychological violence.

The absence of physical marks does not mean that violence does not exist. It means that the harm manifests on other planes, less visible, but equally evaluable. What psychological violence is (and what it is not)

Psychological violence does not refer to isolated arguments or conflicts typical of any relationship. From a technical perspective, we speak of repeated behaviors over time whose objective—explicit or implicit—is to control, devalue, or emotionally subjugate another person.

It is not an isolated event, but a relational dynamic.

Some of these behaviors include:

• Humiliation, constant criticism, or discrediting.

• Excessive control over decisions, time, or relationships.

• Progressive isolation from social circles.

• Emotional manipulation, blaming, or invalidation.

• Generation of fear, insecurity, or dependency.

The harm is not in a specific phrase, but in the repetition and the cumulative impact.

Why Many People Don't Identify It as Violence

One of the most complex characteristics of psychological violence is its progressive onset. It doesn't usually appear abruptly, but rather establishes itself gradually, becoming normalized within the relationship.

From a psychological perspective, we understand that, in the face of a damaging relational environment, the person develops coping strategies:

• Minimizing what is happening.

• Justifying the other person.

• Assuming blame.

• Doubting their own perception.

These responses are not weakness or a lack of judgment. They are attempts to regulate discomfort and preserve the bond.

The Psychological Impact: What Does Leave a Mark

Even if there are no visible injuries, psychological violence produces observable clinical consequences. In psychological and forensic evaluations, among other aspects, the following are explored:

• Persistent anxiety and a constant state of alert.

• Depressive symptoms and feelings of worthlessness.

• Deterioration of self-esteem.

• Difficulties in decision-making.

• Sleep, concentration, and memory problems.

• Anticipatory fear and avoidance.

• Symptomatology compatible with psychological trauma.

These manifestations do not appear in isolation, but are linked to a prolonged relational experience of harm.

Forensic Evaluation: Making the Invisible Visible

The work of a forensic psychologist is not about “believing” or “not believing” a narrative, but about technically evaluating the psychological impact.

For this, the following are analyzed:

• The coherence and persistence of the narrative.

• Emotional congruence.

• The compatibility between the narrated facts and the symptomatology.

• The person's overall functioning before and after the relationship.

• The exclusion of exaggeration or simulation using specific tools, where appropriate.

The objective is to translate psychological suffering into a language comprehensible to the judicial sphere, without minimizing or overstating it.

Psychological Violence and the Judicial System

Psychological violence is legally recognized, although its approach remains complex. It requires specialized reports that explain how certain relational dynamics can produce a real impairment of psychological integrity, even in the absence of physical aggressions.

Therefore, forensic psychology plays an essential role: to provide rigor, context, and clinical explanation to experiences that have long been questioned or made invisible.

To Conclude

The fact that the harm is not visible does not make it less real.
Psychological violence leaves deep marks on identity, self-esteem, and the way one relates to oneself and others.

Naming it, understanding it, and evaluating it rigorously is a form of care, but also of justice.

If you feel you have experienced a similar situation or need a professional assessment, forensic psychology can help you understand, organize, and articulate what was difficult to explain for a long time.