Domestic violence is a broad term used to define different forms of interpersonal violence. All these different forms can be considered to be part of the domestic violence "umbrella." However, the most common and dangerous form of domestic violence is battering. Battering is a deliberate, on-going pattern of abusive tactics used to establish and maintain power and control over the other partner in an intimate relationship.  

 

Types of Abuse

Physical Abuse: Pushing, shoving, hitting, etc., using weapons or other objects to cause injury. Includes restraining. Causing or attempting to cause physical harm. Examples include grabbing, pinching, slapping, kicking.

 

Sexual Abuse: Any unwanted or inappropriate touching, forcing or coercing to engage in sexual acts against his/her will. Can also include attempting to undermine sexuality. Examples include treating you in a sexually derogatory manner, accusations of cheating, criticizing sexual performance

 

Emotional Abuse: Name calling, put-downs, playing mind games, etc. Using tactics to attack a person’s sense of self. Undermining victim's sense of worth. Another example is manipulating victim's emotions and feelings to feel guilty.

 

Psychological: Instilling or attempting to instill fear. Examples include intimidation, destruction of pets and/or property, stalking, isolation from family and friends, threats of physical harm

 

Financial: Making or attempting to make the victim financially dependent. Examples include controlling all of the money, not allowing you to work, checking your receipts and monitoring where the money is being spent, giving you an allowance

 

Other Abusive Tactics

· Economic abuse

· Isolation

· Destruction of property or pets

· Using male privilege

· Minimizing, denying, & blaming

· Manipulation of children

· Coercion & threats/Intimidation