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
Download our domestic violence information brochure.
