Power & Control Wheel

The Power & Control Wheel diagram (below) is a particularly helpful tool in understanding the overall pattern of abusive and violent behaviors, which are used by a batterer to establish and maintain power and control over his/her partner. One of the most blatant or obvious ways is through physical or sexual violence. However there are many other ways one can exert power (such as emotional, financial, verbal abuse) and these tactics which can be harder to see can be used independently or in combination with the physical violence. Examples have been provided below.

The power and control wheel below is a condensed version, with the description of the parts below the image.

 

** In the following descriptions the victim is referred to as a female. However victims can be male and female and the verbiage below should not stop anyone from seeking services. **

Coercion and Threats

Making and/or carrying out threats to do something to hurt her. Threatening to leave her, commit suicide, or report her to welfare. Making her/him drop charges. Making her do illegal things.

Intimidation

Making her afraid by using looks, actions, and gestures. Smashing things. Destroying her property. Abusing pets. Displaying weapons.

Emotional Abuse

Putting her down. Making her feel bad about herself. Calling her names. Making her think she's crazy. Playing mind games. Humiliating her. Making her feel guilty.

Isolation

Controlling what she does, who she sees and talks, what she reads, and where she goes. Limiting her outside involvement. Using jealousy to justify actions.

Minimizing, Denying, and Blaming

Making light of the abuse and not taking her concerns about it seriously. Saying the abuse didn't happen. Shifting responsibility for abusive behavior. Saying she caused it.

Using Children

Making her feel guilty about the children. Using the children to relay messages. Using visitation to harass her. Threatening to take the children away.

Economic Abuse

Preventing her from getting or keeping a job. Making her ask for money. Giving her an allowance. Taking her money. Not letting her know about or have access to family income.

Male Privilege

Treating her like a servant: making all the big decisions, acting like the "master of the castle," being the one to define men's and women's roles.

To download a printable, more detailed copy, please click on the image below or click here to view:
Power & Control Wheel - PDF (84 kb)

Power and Control Wheel Developed By:
DOMESTIC ABUSE INTERVENTION PROJECT
202 East Superior Street
Duluth , MN 55802
218.722.2781
duluth-model.org