Types of Domestic Abuse

Types of Domestic Abuse


We tend to think of Domestic Abuse as physical violence or assault on a wife. In reality, however, domestic abuse is the summary of physically, sexually and psychologically abusive behaviours directed by one partner against another, regardless of their marital status or gender. Generally, when one form of abuse exists, it is coupled with other forms as well.

Domestic Abuse does not just affect people of a certain race, age, gender or background, but knows no ethnic, cultural or personal borders.

Domestic abuse may also be defined by identifying its function, that being the domination, punishment or control of one's partner. Abusers use physical and sexual violence, threats, money, emotional and psychological abuse to control their partners and get their way.

Sometimes Domestic Abuse is better understood by it's effect on the victim than by the specific actions of the abuser.

Abuse in the home is not a rare problem, it is just rarely admitted as one.

POWER and CONTROL

Abusers believe they have a right to control their partners by:

Telling them what to do and expecting obedience

Using force to maintain power and control over partners

Feeling their partners have no right to challenge their desire for power and control

Feeling justified making the victim comply

Blaming the abuse on the partner and not accepting responsibility for wrongful acts.

The characteristics shown in the wheel are examples of how this power and control are demonstrated and enacted against the victim.



ISOLATION

limiting outside involvement

making another avoid people/friends/family by deliberately embarrassing or humiliating them in front of others

expecting another to report every move and activity

restricting use of the car

moving residences

EMOTIONAL ABUSE

putting another down/name-calling

ignoring or discounting activities and accomplishments

withholding approval or affection

making another feel as if they are crazy in public or through private humiliation

unreasonable jealousy and suspicion

playing mind games

ECONOMIC ABUSE

preventing another from getting or keeping a job

withholding funds

spending family income without consent and/or making the partner struggle to pay bills

not letting someone know of or have access to family/personal income

forcing someone to ask for basic necessities

INTIMIDATION

driving recklessly to make another feel threatened or endangered

destroying property or cherished possessions

making another afraid by using looks/actions/gestures

throwing objects as an expression of anger to make another feel threatened

displaying weapons

USING CHILDREN or PETS

threatening to take the children away

making the partner feel guilty about the children

abusing children or pets to punish the partner

using the children to relay messages

USING PRIVILEDGE

treating another like a servant

making all the big decisions

being the one to define male and female roles

acting like the master or queen of the castle

SEXUAL ABUSE

sex on demand or sexual withholding

physical assaults during sexual intercourse

spousal rapes or non-consensual sex

sexually degrading language

denying reproductive freedom

THREATS

threats of violence against significant third parties

threats to commit physical or sexual harm

threats to commit property destruction

threats to commit suicide or murder

PHYSICAL ABUSE

biting/scratching

slapping/punching

kicking/stomping

throwing objects at another

locking another in a closet or utilizing other confinement

sleep interference and/or deliberately exhausting the partner with unreasonable demands and lack of rest

deprivation of heat or food

shoving another down steps or into objects

assaults with weapons such as knives/guns/other objects