What is EASA and Why?

by Francesca Anastasi - aka Sabeya

Welcome to the first part of our four-part series on a topic that is close to my heart and critical to our mission at Shimmy Mob. Today, I want to introduce you to EASA—Emotional Abuse Signs Awareness. This initiative is not just another campaign; it’s a movement born out of necessity, urgency, and a deep commitment to change.

The Birth of EASA
After years of pouring our energy into fundraising for domestic violence shelters, a conversation changed everything. A director from one of these shelters told me, “We will always need more money and more beds because domestic violence is on the rise.” That statement hit me hard. It was a wake-up call in realizing that we were treating the symptoms but not the root cause. We needed a new approach — one that focuses on education and prevention. EASA was born.

Why EASA?
EASA stands for Emotional Abuse Signs Awareness. It's about recognizing the early warning signs of emotional abuse, which are often the precursors to physical violence. Emotional abuse is insidious and can be more mentally damaging in the long run. By educating people about these signs, we can empower individuals to make wise decisions and leave potentially dangerous situations before they escalate.

While statistics show that women are the highest victims of domestic violence,  men are not exempt. Abuse does not discriminate. Everyone deserves to live free from abuse, and our goal with EASA is to reach as many people as possible, regardless of gender. 

The Mission
Our mission with EASA is multi-faceted. We aim to educate at every level, including teaching children to respect others' boundaries and their own. This is one of the ways to break the cycle. Over the past five years, Shimmy Mob  has intensified its focus on this aspect of our mission. Now, we are dedicating the entire month of September to raising awareness about emotional abuse. 

Recognizing Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse often goes unnoticed because it's not tangible and it doesn’t leave visible scars.  However, its effects are profound and long lasting.

Here are some of the common signs:

• Constant Criticism: Demeaning comments that chip away at self-esteem.
• Control and Manipulation: Isolating someone from friends and family or controlling their actions.
• Gaslighting: Making someone doubt their reality or sanity.
• Blame and Shame: Making the victim feel responsible for the abuser’s actions or emotional state.
• Emotional Withholding:  Withholding affection, love, or approval to punish or control you.

By recognizing these signs, we can take steps to protect ourselves and others.

The Statistics
The statistics are sobering. Nearly three women are killed by an intimate partner every day in the USA. Domestic violence is a pervasive issue with profound and lasting effects on victims, impacting their physical, mental, social, and economic well-being.

The Effects

• Physical: Injuries, chronic health issues, and substance misuse.
• Mental: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts.
• Social: Isolation, difficulty forming relationships, and community ostracism.
• Economic: Employment challenges and financial instability.

Domestic violence not only affects the victims but its effects ripple into society, affecting healthcare costs, workplace productivity, community safety, and the future of our children.

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​If you think you are experiencing emotional abuse,
​contact your local or national domestic violence hotline for guidance.

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Join Us
EASA is more than an awareness campaign; it’s a call to action. We need to educate, advocate, and support each other in recognizing and addressing emotional abuse. Together, we can make a difference. Stay tuned for the next part of this series, where we’ll dive deeper into the signs of emotional abuse and how to recognize them in your relationships. 

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Thank you for joining us on this mission. Together we can create a world where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered.