The nature of covert abuse allows it to permeate different settings, whether personal, professional, or communal. Within institutions, covert abuse may occur in organizational structures, such as workplaces, educational institutions, religious organizations, or even governmental bodies. In these settings, hidden power dynamics, manipulation, and toxic behaviors can undermine the well-being of individuals and create a culture of fear and control.

The nature of covert abuse allows it to permeate different settings, whether personal, professional, or communal. Within institutions, covert abuse may occur in organizational structures, such as workplaces, educational institutions, religious organizations, or even governmental bodies. In these settings, hidden power dynamics, manipulation, and toxic behaviors can undermine the well-being of individuals and create a culture of fear and control.

Here are a few examples of covert abuse across institutions and relationships:

• Intimate Relationships: Covert abuse can happen within romantic partnerships, where one person manipulates and controls the other through subtle tactics such as gaslighting, emotional manipulation, or isolation.
• Family Dynamics: Covert abuse can occur within families, including parent-child relationships or between siblings. It may involve tactics like emotional blackmail, constant criticism, or creating a toxic environment.
• Workplace Settings: Covert abuse can manifest in the workplace, where individuals may experience subtle forms of manipulation, undermining, or sabotage from colleagues, supervisors, or even subordinates.
• Friendships: Covert abuse can also happen in friendships, where one person exploits the trust and vulnerabilities of another through manipulation, spreading rumors, or playing mind games.
• Educational Institutions: Covert abuse can occur in educational settings, such as schools or universities, where students may face bullying, ostracization, or emotional manipulation from peers or even teachers.

The widespread occurrence of covert abuse in different institutions and relationships emphasizes the importance of increasing awareness and creating environments that encourage healthy boundaries, respect, and accountability. It is crucial to identify the signs of covert abuse and offer assistance to those who have been victimized in order to break the cycle of abuse and establish nurturing spaces where individuals can flourish without the worry of being secretly manipulated or harmed.