The Domestic Violence Act says emotional, verbal and psychological abuse is ‘a pattern of degrading or humiliating conduct towards a complainant’ including:

• Repeated insults, ridicule or name-calling
• Repeated threats to cause emotional pain
• Repeated exhibition of obsessive possessiveness or jealousy, which is a serious invasion of a person’s privacy, liberty, integrity or security
• Harassment and stalking

Legal Remedies in Emotional and Psychological Abuse Cases Include:

• Laying a criminal charge against the abuser, for example for kidnapping, abduction, crimen injuria (See: Laying a criminal charge against another person)
• Making a civil claim for compensation for pain and suffering
  (See: Civil claims)