What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is the misuse of power and control in relationships. It can be
physical, sexual or emotional. In fact, Domestic Violence takes many forms, but
it’s always extremely damaging to the person suffering the abuse.
Physical abuse may include:
- Pushing, spitting, pinching, punching, slapping, beating, kicking, stabbing, burning,
shooting, or choking.
- Demanding or forcing sexual acts on someone.
- Physically restraining a person.
Verbal abuse is used to control the other person without physical
force, perhaps through:
- Criticism and name-calling.
- Threatening suicide or future violence.
- Threatening to take the children.
- Controlling friendships and/or finances.
- Intimidation with weapons, reckless driving, or locking the victim out of the
house.
Emotional abuse can be as hurtful and damaging as physical abuse
and may include:
- Demeaning or putting a person down.
- Withholding affection.
- Criticizing or making fun of the other person’s thoughts or needs.
- Abusing the family pet.
Domestic violence also includes forced sexual activity of any kind such as:
- Forcing intercourse on an unwilling partner.
- Demanding sexual acts that the victim does not want to perform.
- Degrading treatment.
- Forcing the victim to watch or participate in pornographic activities.
Information on Domestic Violence: