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Abuse Types
BASIC INFORMATION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE / ABUSE
Domestic violence / abuse is a pattern of behavior that seeks to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation. The perpetrators will use a pattern of abusive acts to gain compliance and control over the victim. It is directed at restricting independent thoughts and actions so that the victim will become devoted to fulfilling the needs of the perpetrator.
TYPES OF ABUSE
In an abusive relationship, the abuser may use a number of tactics in order to maintain power and control over his or her partner. Here are some examples:
TYPES OF ABUSE |
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Physical: Spitting, scratching, biting, grabbing, shaking, shoving, pushing, restraining, twisting, throwing, slapping, punching, strangling, burning, using weapons. |
Sexual: Coerced sex by manipulation or threat of physical force, forcing the victim into watching pornography. |
Psychological & Emotional: Verbal threats, suicidal threats, stalking, brandishing weapons, intimidation, criticizing the victim, insulting the victim. |
Economic: Limiting and controlling the victim's access to resources such as money, food, clothing, not allowing the victim to work. |
Legal: Filing for protection orders against the victim, threatening to have victim declared incompetent, falsely reporting victim to law enforcement, threatening deportation. |
WHY VICTIMS DON'T LEAVE
Here are some reasons for why a victim might stay in an abusive relationship:
REASONS FOR STAYING |
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Fear of what the abuser will do if the victim leaves: The abuser may... Inflict more severe abuse. Destroy the victim's belongings in the home. Affect the victim's job or reputation at work, church, etc. Have the victim falsely arrested or charged with a crime. Harm children, pets, family, and/or friends. Not allow the victim to see children or grandchildren. Kill the victim or themself. |
Lack of resources: The victim may not have... Access to money for a new place for them to live. Income due to the inability to work. Have a safe place to go. Any form of transportation. |
Lack of support: The victim may... Not have friends or family to lend emotional support due to isolation. Be ashamed or embarrassed to turn to friends or family for help. Be afraid of being alone and without a partner. Fear that no one will believe him or her. |
Feelings and beliefs: The victim may... Feel responsible for the abusive partner's feelings, expectations, and/or reputation. Feel love for the abuser's positive side and hope they will change. Hold religious or social beliefs that divorce is wrong. Hold religious or social beliefs that children should have both parents. Hold religious or social beliefs that women must obey men. Blame him or herself for the problems. |
RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS
- Contact the Nampa Family Justice Center at 208-475-5700
- Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
- Contact the Victim Connect Resource Center at 855-484-2846
- In case of an emergency please call 911
BASIC INFORMATION ON SEXUAL ASSAULT
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sexual assault is defined as "any type of sexual activity or contact that you do not consent to. Sexual assault can happen through physical force or threats of force or if the attacker gave the victim drugs or alcohol as part of the assault. Sexual assault includes rape and sexual coercion." Sexual Assault can happen in different situations including in your home by someone you know, on a date, or by a stranger in an isolated place.
TYPES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT |
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Molestation: Offender makes unwanted or inappropriate sexual advances towards the victim such as touching the victim's body in way that the victim does not want. |
Rape: Offender coerces or force the victim to engage in vaginal, anal, and/or oral penetration. These acts without the victim's knowledge. |
Incest: Sexual activity or contact between family members. |
Voyeurism: Offender gains pleasure from watching victims when they are nude or private sexual acts. |
Exhibitionism: Offender exposing themselves in public. |
Sexual harassment Offender makes unwelcome and inappropriate sexual advances in professional or social situations. |
WHAT TO DO IF SEXUALLY ASSAULTEDSexual assault is NEVER the victim's fault- no matter where or how it happened. Don't be afraid to ask for help or support. If you are assaulted, we encourage you to take the following steps: Call 911 |
Call someone: Call a trusted friend or family member, a crisis center or the sexual assault hotline (800-656-4673) to speak with a counselor. |
If the assault was recent: Do not wash, comb, or clean any part of your body or change your clothes. Do not touch or change anything at the scene of the assault. |
Go to the nearest hospital emergency room as soon as possible. The Nampa Family Justice Center has a team of nurses who are Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners. They are experienced in conducting sexual assault examinations, which include treatment for injuries, screening for possible sexually transmitted infections, and evidence collection. |
RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS
- Contact the Nampa Family Justice Center at 208-475-5700
- Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673)
- In case of an emergency please call 911
BASIC INFORMATION ON CHILD ABUSE
Child abuse is an act or failure to act on the part of a parent, guardian or caretaker. It can result in sexual abuse, exploitation, serious physical and/or emotional harm, risk of serious harm, or death of the child.
TYPES OF ABUSE |
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Physical abuse: Non-accidental physical injury to a child. Examples include hitting, kicking, burning, biting, etc. |
Sexual abuse: Sexual contact, solicitation for sexually explicit material, exposure to sexually explicit material. |
Emotional abuse: Actions and behaviors that can harm a child's emotional well-being. Things such as blaming, name-calling, demeaning, shaming, rejecting, etc. |
Neglect: Failure to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, medical care and/or supervision. |
Drug endangerment: A child that is exposed to an environment where drugs are illegally used or possessed and puts the child at risk of abuse or harm. |
REPORTING CHILD ABUSE
If you suspect a child is being abused, it is critical to get them the help he or she needs. Idaho Statute (16-1605) requires any person having reason to believe that a child under the age of 18 years has been abused, abandoned, or neglected, or who observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse, abandonment, or neglect, report this within 24 hours.
- I don't want to interfere in someone else's family. The effects of child abuse are lifelong, affecting future relationships, self-esteem, and sadly putting even more children at risk of abuse as the cycle continues. Help break the cycle of child abuse.
- What if I break up someone's home? The priority in child protective services is keeping children in the home. A child abuse report does not mean a child is automatically removed from the home. Unless the child is clearly in danger, support such as parenting classes, anger management or other resources may be offered first to parents if safe for the child.
- They will know it was me who called. Reporting is anonymous. In most states, you do not have to give your name when you report child abuse.
- What I have to say won't make a difference. If you have a gut feeling that something is wrong, it is better to be safe than sorry. Even if you don't see the whole picture, others may have noticed as well, and a pattern can help identify child abuse that might have otherwise slipped through the cracks.
BASIC INFORMATION
Elder mistreatment (i.e. abuse and neglect) is defined as intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm (whether or not harm is intended) to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other person who is trusted by the elder. This includes failure by a caregiver to satisfy the elder's basic needs or to protect the elder from harm.
TYPES OF ABUSE
The abusive party may use a variety of tactics to harm an elder.
TYPES OF ABUSE |
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Physical Abuse: Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need. |
Emotional Abuse: Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder through verbal or nonverbal acts. |
Sexual Abuse: Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind, or coercing an elder to witness sexual behaviors. |
Exploitation: Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder. |
Neglect: Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care, or protection for a vulnerable elder. |
Abandonment: The desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person. |
Call Law Enforcement
BASIC INFORMATION
Stalking is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific individual, that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.- Pattern of behavior: Two or more incidents
- Fear: Must be understood contextually (for example, a flower deliver may seem wonderful to an outsider, but to a victim who has attempted to relocate and hide from his or her stalker, it is terrifying because it reveals that the stalker knows their location). It is important to note that fear is often masked by other emotions, such as irritation or anger.
STALKING BEHAVIORS |
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Surveillance: Following or monitoring the victim, either in person or virtually |
Life Invasion: Repeatedly invading the victim's life or privacy by initiating unwanted contact, such as phone calls, texts, messages, emails, gifts, breaking into victim's home or vehicles when the victim wasn't around |
Intimidation: Scaring the victim with threats of harm to victim, children, or pets, actually harming pets, damaging property |
Interference: Spreading rumors or publicly humiliating victim, jeopardizing the victim's job, interfering with victim's finances or housing |
TIPS & RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS
- Trust your instincts
- Call the police if you feel you are in immediate danger
- Consider using a Stalking Incident and Behavior Log, found here
- Save evidence, such as emails, text messages, photos, postings on social networking sites
- Learn more about using technology safely, by visiting this Tech Safety Site
- Contact the Nampa Family Justice Center at 208-457-5700
- Visit the Victim Connect or SPARC websites, for more information and resources
*All information adapted from SPARC