What is Domestic Violence?

 

 

What is Domestic Violence?

 

Domestic Violence, also called Spouse Abuse, Family Violence, Battering, Woman Abuse, Wife Beating, is a pattern of coercive control that one person exercises over another the abuser may use a number of tatics other than physical violence in order to maintain power and control over his or her partner:
 
  • Emotional & Verbal Abuse: Survivors of Domestic Violence recount stories by their partners. Many say that the Emotional Abuse they have suffered has left the deepest scars.
  • Isolation: It is common for an abuser to be extremely jealous, and insist that the victim not see her friends or family members. The resulting feeling of isolation may then be increased for the victim is she loses her job as a result of absenteeism or decreased produtctivity (which are often associated with people who are experiencing dometistic Violence)
  • Threats & Intimidation: Threats--including threats of violence, suicide, or taking away the children--are a very common tactic employed by the batterer. The existence of emotional and verbal abuse, attempts to isolate, and threats and intimidation within a relationship may be an indication that phusical abuse is to follow. Even if they are not accompanied by physical abuse, the effect of these incidents must not be minimized.