Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in a relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain control over another intimate partner.
While physical abuse can be one way of maintaining power and control, it does not occur in every abusive relationship and is not the only form of abuse. Below are some signs and types of abuse that may be present in a relationship.
Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair pulling, etc. are all examples of physical abuse.
Sexual Abuse: Coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent is abusive.
Emotional Abuse: Examples of emotional abuse include, but are not limited to, name-calling, blaming, minimizing concerns of abuse, humiliation, mind games, and guilt. These are used to undermine an individual's sense of self-worth and/or self-esteem. Emotional abuse can be covert, insidious, and manipulative, making it difficult to detect.
Economic/Financial Abuse: Is defined as making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding one's access to money, or forbidding one's attendance at school or employment.
Psychological Abuse: Elements of psychological abuse include but are not limited to: causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner's family or friends; destruction of pets and property; isolation from family, friends, school and/or work.
*U.S. Department of Justice
Sources: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violene Hotline: 800-799-7233
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