The philologist spoke about the reasons for the use of the term "abuser".

The appearance and spread of the term "abuser" reflects a social demand. We are not talking about the "corruption" of the language, but about its natural development and ability to respond to changes in culture. Alyona Popova, a philologist and comparative linguist, told Izvestia about this on February 25.

"The Russian language is a living organism. If he borrows a new word, it means that society needed an accurate designation of a new or previously unimaginable phenomenon," she said.

Today, the word "abuser" is most often used in the context of psychology and the discussion of personal boundaries, toxic relationships between partners, parents and children, as well as in work and friendships. The very fact that he is rooted in speech, according to the expert, indicates that society is beginning to pay more attention to forms of hidden pressure, which were previously often justified by phrases like "he's just short-tempered" or "it's her own fault."

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In addition, Popova added, the difference between the concepts of "aggressor" and "abuser" is fundamental, and that is why the borrowed word has become fixed in the Russian language.

"The aggressor is a broad and emotionally charged concept: This is the one who attacks first, shows hostility — whether in a military conflict or in a street fight. This word describes the very fact of an attack, the moment of a physical or verbal impulse. Abusive is a much more complex and subtle term. It describes not so much an action as a systemic relationship. If the aggressor can flare up and cool down, then the abuser builds a whole reality around the victim. His tools are not only shouting or fists, but also gaslighting, manipulation, financial dependence, depreciation and alternating "carrot and stick," the expert explained, adding that in such relationships, violence is often disguised as "complex nature" or external concern, which can take a long time for the victim not to realize what is happening..

The philologist stressed that it is also impossible to replace the word "abuser" with the word "rapist". In Russian, "rapist" has a clearly defined criminal connotation and is associated primarily with physical coercion, whereas abuse can manifest itself in psychological and emotional forms.

Russian Russian Ministry of Education expert Natalia Kozlovskaya, Head of the Department of the Russian Language at the A. I. Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University, told RIA Novosti that the word "abuser" could be included in dictionaries of the Russian language as the official language, as it has no analogues. The expert added that it has entered the lexicon of Russians since about 2013 and has a high frequency of use.

Prior to that, on November 2, Twinby psychologist Larisa Karavaytseva told Izvestia there were signs of abusive relationships. She clarified that most victims experience several factors: constant reproaches and criticism, restrictions on freedom of movement and communication, financial dependence and cost control, physical violence or the threat of its use. In fact, this is control, any threats, emotional pressure, as a result of which the victim earns a sense of guilt, learned helplessness and a lot of fears.

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