Domestic violence can take different forms, but its purpose is always the same: Abusers want to control their domestic partners through fear. They do this by abusing them physically, sexually, psychologically, verbally, and economically.
Coercion: Making the victim feel guilty, Sulking, Manipulating children and other family members; Always insisting on being right; Making up impossible rules and punishing the victim for breaking them.
Domestic Violence does not only apply to women and children. Men are often abused by their partner.
Harassment: Following or stalking, Embarrassing the victim in public, Constantly checking up on the victim, Refusing to leave when asked.
Physical Abuse: Hitting, Slapping, Kicking, Choking, Pushing, Punching, Beating.
Economic Control: Not paying bills, Refusing to give the victim money, Not letting the victim work, Interfering with the victim’s job; Prohibiting the victim from going to school; Not allowing the, victim to learn a job skill; Refusing to work and support the family.
Verbal Abuse: Constant criticism, Mocking, Making humiliating remarks, Yelling, Swearing, Name-calling, Interrupting.
Abusing Trust: Lying, Breaking promises, Withholding important information, Being unfaithful, Being overly jealous, Not sharing domestic responsibilities.
Sexual Abuse: Forcing sex on an unwilling partner; Demanding sexual acts that the victim does not want to perform; Degrading treatment.
Isolation: Making it hard for the victim to see friends and relatives, Monitoring phone calls, Reading mail, Controlling where the victim goes, Taking the victim’s car keys, Destroying the victim’s passport.
Threats and Intimidation: Threatening to harm the victim, the children, family members and pets, using physical size to intimidate, Shouting, Keeping weapons and threatening to use them.
Emotional Withholding: Not expressing feelings, Not giving compliments, Not paying attention, Not respecting the victim’s feelings, rights and opinions, Not taking the victim’s concerns seriously.
Destruction of Property: Destroying furniture, Punching walls, Throwing or breaking things, Abusing pets.
Self-Destructive Behaviors: Abusing drugs or alcohol, Threatening self-harm or suicide, Driving recklessly, Deliberately doing things that will cause trouble.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE (24/7 PHONE SUPPORT)
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Trained advocates are available to take your calls through this toll free, 24/7 hotline.
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