What Is Domestic Violence?   

   

Domestic Violence is a purposeful pattern of abusive behavior used to manipulate or gain power and control over an intimate partner, family member, or household member.

Types of Abuse Include (but are not limited to):

Emotional/Verbal Abuse

• Continuous criticism, shouting, name calling, or insults
• Withholding affection or approval as punishment
• Public (or private) humiliation
• Ignoring feelings and needs
• Accusations of “sleeping around”
• Not allowing you to work
• Threatens to hurt/kill you or your family
• Threatens to kidnap the children
• Taking away money
• Taking away car keys
• Punishing/depriving your children to hurt you

Physical Abuse

• Being locked out of the house
• Pushing and shoving
• Hair pulling and biting
• Hitting/punching
• Choking
• Having a weapon used against you
• Being deprived of sleep
• Holding you to keep you from leaving
• Subjected you to reckless driving
• Abandonment in a dangerous place

Sexual Abuse

• Forcing sex when you do not want it
• Forcing you to have sex with others
• Unwanted and uncomfortable touching
• Insisting you dress in an exaggerated sexual manner
• Forcing you to strip
• Forcing sex after beating you
• Forcing sex when you are sleeping or sick
• Forcing you to watch others having sex

 

Economic Abuse

- Rigidly controlling your finances
- Withholding money or credit cards
- Making you account for every penny you spend
- Withholding basic necessities (food, clothes, medications, shelter)
- Restricting you to an allowance
- Preventing you from working or choosing your own career
- Sabotaging your job (making you miss work, calling constantly)
- Stealing from you or taking your money without permission or knowledge

 

 

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