Domestic Violence: Power, Control, and Abuse
Domestic violence happens when one partner attempts to gain power and control over the other using various forms of abuse. These unhealthy relationships can include physical, emotional/psychological, verbal, economic, and/or sexual abuse.
Some examples of different kinds of abuse are:
Physical Violence/Abuse
- grabbing or twisting arms/hands
- physical restraint
- hitting with object or fist
- punching
- kicking
- biting or spitting
- burns
- throwing things
- strangling/choking
- depriving basic needs
- scratching
- pushing him/her out of car
- use of weapon (knife, gun, bat)
- animal cruelty
- pulling/grabbing hair
- pinching
Emotional and Psychological Abuse
- controlling whereabouts
- isolation from friends/family
- hiding belongings
- making partner think s/he is crazy.
- telling partner what to eat and how to dress
- humiliating partner alone or in front of others
- blaming partner for everything that goes wrong
- excessive calling or “checking up” on
- depriving sleep
- intimidation
- accusing of cheating
- manipulation and lies.
- threatening suicide
- twisting words around
- forcing partner to use drugs and alcohol.
- destroying personal property/sentimental items
- blackmail
- stalking
Verbal Abuse
- put down/insults
- name calling
- using hostile tone of voice
- obscene phone calls
- threats to harm partner or his/her family, friends, and/or pets
- degrading personal remarks including sexual comments
Economic Abuse
- keeping partner from getting or keeping a job
- giving an allowance/ controlling all finances
- not allowing access to money or credit cards
- taking money for self and withholding money for family needs
- making partner ask for money.
- taking partner’s money
Sexual Abuse
- using coercion/threats for sex
- attacks on breasts, genitals
- unwanted touching
- forcing sexual acts
- name calling such as “slut” or “whore.”
- forcing victim to perform degrading sexual acts.
- rape
- forced prostitution.
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