Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors which keeps one partner in a position of power over the other partner through the use of fear, intimidation & control. It can happen to people who are married or not married; heterosexual, gay or lesbian; rich or poor; or living together, separated, or dating. There are many types of abuse:

Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is easier to recognize than other types of abuse:

□ Grabbing, pinching, shoving, hair pulling shaking, kicking, slapping, hitting, biting, throwing, strangling/choking, burning
□ Denying access to medical care or medication
□ Destruction of personal property
□ Use of weapons to threaten or injure
□ Denying access to food, water, sleep

Emotional Abuse
Causing fear by intimidation and/or threats in order to maintain control:

□ Threats of physical harm to partner, children, family, friends or self
□ Destruction of property and pets
□ Forced isolation from family, friends, school and/or work
□ Verbal attacks, criticizes and humiliates partner in public
□ Possessive jealousy

Sexual Abuse
Coercing, attempting to coerce, or forcing without consent, another to participate unwillingly in any sexual act or behavior:

□ Rape
□ Forced sex after physical beatings
□ Treating partner in a sexually demeaning manner
□ Coercing partner into sexual acts he/she is uncomfortable with, such as sex with others, physically painful sex
□ Denying partner contraception or protection against sexually transmitted diseases
□ Forcing partner to dress in a certain way

Economic Abuse
Making or attempting to make a person financially dependent:

□ Using money to control, intimidate and/or isolate a partner
□ Controlling and denying access to all money and financial resources
□ Forbidding or sabotaging attendance at school or employment
□ Refusing to work and forcing partner to support the family
□ Ruining victim’s credit rating

Harassment & Stalking
Purposely or knowingly engaging in a series of actions targeted at another with the intent to cause emotional distress:

□ Frequent, uninvited visits to victim’s home or work, or any other place he/she regularly frequents
□ Repeated, unwanted contact by any means
□ Following or observing someone’s actions for an extended period of time

Legal Helpline - 314.664.6699 or 1.800.527.1460