What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence (DV) is a pattern of aggressive and intimidating behaviors that abusers use to control their intimate partners, and often includes the threat or use of violence. The violence can be displayed through verbal, emotional, physical, sexual and/or economic means and is based on one person exerting power and control over another. The abuser/batterer believes they are entitled to control how their partner thinks, feels, and behaves.

(DV) is directed toward current and former intimate partners, by adult children toward their elderly parents, and by caregivers toward vulnerable family members or clients. The partners may be of the same sex or opposite sex.

Examples of Domestic Violence

This list does not include all the tactics an abuser may use.

Physical: Includes a wide range of behaviors such as restraint, slapping, pushing, shoving, hitting, grabbing, forcing drug consumption or withholding medication, aggravated assault and homicide.

Sexual: Includes any sexual act (verbal or physical) which breaks a person’s trust and/or safety. May include forced sexual activity, threats of infidelity, coerced sex acts, denial of contraception, coerced abortion, sexual mutilation, and demeaning sexual language.

Verbal / Emotional: Includes threats, name calling, intimidation, degrading or contemptuous behavior, withholding communication, manipulation, yelling, and isolation from friends, family, and society. Also includes threats or acts of violence against children, significant others or family pets for the purpose of manipulating or punishing the victim.

Economic: Includes direct or indirect manipulation or domination of finances, and disposition of personal property without consent. Examples are: withholding money, denying access/knowledge of accounts, and providing an allowance.

Destruction of Property: Includes vandalism of the home, car, personal assets, and belongings that could be sentimental to the victim.

Possible Signs of Domestic Violence

Millions of people are affected by (DV) each year. Chances are, someone you know - your neighbor, coworker, friend, sister or mother - is a victim. Here are some signs an individual may be in trouble.

• Victim may often have bruises or injuries or has frequent "accidents" for which they give vague explanations.
• Partner controls their activities, finances, appearance, or their contact with friends and family.
• Victim may frequently cancel plans at the last minute or seems afraid of making their partner angry.
• Partner repeatedly attempts to contact the victim when he/she is not with them.
• Partner ridicules them publicly or you sense volatility in the comments.
• Children in an abusive home may demonstrate changes in behavior, especially when their partner is present.
• Victim may often appear frightened or exhausted.