Thinking about caretaker being an empath, a really strong one, and almost being able to sense the second whumpee begins to panic, or the anxiety picks up. They just appear, offering their hand, or a warm beverage, or a hug. Whumpee doesn't need to say a thing.
On the other hand whumper who's a strong empath...
They know when whumpee is bluffing. They know what really scares whumpee. They know how to manipulate them to get what they want, maybe not even using force. Using the lightest touches or smallest bits of praise. The small breaks in the pain to coerce them into ever greater danger.
Imagine whumper feeding (literally) off whumpee's fear and pain. Trying to keep whumpee from losing hope because then things get dull and tasteless, so occasionally they have to give them some slack, then they get to crush it.