Abuse Types

  1. Domestic Violence
  2. Sexual Assault
  3. Child Abuse
  4. Elder Abuse
  5. Stalking

BASIC INFORMATION

Domestic violence, or domestic abuse, is a pattern of behavior that seeks to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation.
Batterers believe they are entitled to control their victims. They believe that threats and violence are acceptable and will produce the desired results. Therefore, domestic violence is purposeful and instrumental behavior. 

domestic violence 2

The perpetrator's pattern of abusive acts is used to gain compliance from or exert control over the victim.
It is directed at restricting independent thought and action so that the victim will become devoted to fulfilling the needs of the perpetrator. The pattern is not impulsive or 'out of control' behavior. Tactics that work to control the victim are selectively chosen by the perpetrator. However, the perpetrator can never get enough control to make him/her feel comfortable, making it impossible for the victim to please 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:
TYPES OF ABUSE
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, violent sex, a kind of sex the victim does not want, sex at a time victim does not want it, forcing to watch pornography 
Psychological & Emotional: 
Threats through words ("if I can't have you, no one will, if you do you'll be sorry"), actions (stalking, brandishing weapons, standing over victim in a threatening manner, suicide attempts), intimidation (yelling and screaming in victim's face, reckless driving while victim or children are in the car), criticize the victim, threatens children or pets, calls the victim names, calls the victim crazy 
Economic: 
Controlling victim's access to the family's resources such as time, transportation, food, clothing, shelter, or money, not allowing the victim to work, not listing the victim as an owner on a home, car, or insurance policy, ruining the victim's credit
Legal: 
Filing for protection orders, instituting legal procedures the victim cannot afford to fight, threatening to have victim declared incompetent, falsely reporting victim to law enforcement, threatening deportation 

WHY VICTIMS DON'T LEAVE

Victims may have various reasons for staying in an abusive relationship:
REASONS FOR STAYING
Fear of what the abuser will do if he/she 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 arrested or charged with a crime
Harm children, pets, family, or friends
Not allow the victim to see children or grandchildren
Kill the victim or self
Isolation and lack of resources: The victim may not have...
Housing options or money on hand for rent or deposits for a new home
Income
A safe place to go
Transportation
Physical ability to leave
People to lend solid emotional support
Lack of support: The victim may...
Feel there are no friends or family to turn to
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/her
Feelings and beliefs: The victim may...
Feel responsible for the abusive partner's feelings, expectations, image, etc.
Feel love for the abuser's positive side, and hope he/she will change
Hold religious or social beliefs that divorce is wrong
Hold religious or social beliefs that children should have two parents
Hold religious or social beliefs that women must obey men
Blame him/herself for the problems

RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS