Does yelling and insults count as abuse, or does he have to hit me?
Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
No — he doesn't have to hit you. RA 9262 §3(C) defines psychological violence as acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering, and names repeated verbal abuse, public ridicule or humiliation, and intimidation among its examples. Physical harm is a separate form of abuse under §3, not a requirement for the others to count.
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Frequently asked
Does it have to happen more than once to count?
"Repeated verbal abuse" is one of §3(C)'s named examples, but psychological violence itself is defined more broadly as any act or omission causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering — the register does not establish a minimum number of incidents for that broader definition.
What other acts count as psychological violence?
§3(C)'s list — introduced with "such as but not limited to" — also names harassment, stalking, damage to property, and mental infidelity, plus causing or allowing someone to witness abuse of a family member, pornography, or abusive injury to pets. The list is illustrative, not exhaustive.
Is this different from physical abuse under the same law?
Yes — RA 9262 §3 defines physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse as four separate forms, any one of which can qualify on its own. Psychological violence doesn't require any of the other three to also be present.
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Whether what's happening even counts as abuse under RA 9262 — psychological violence without a hand ever being raised, economic control, threats, and the reach of the law beyond marriage and beyond your front door.