Domestic Violence

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 

Domestic Violence also know as intimate partner violence (ipv) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another person in an intimate relationship.

Domestic Violence includes behaviors that physically harm, arouse fear, prevent a partner from being or doing what they wish to force them to behave in ways they do not want. It includes the use of physical and sexual violence, thats and intimidation, emotional abuse and economic deprivation. Many of these different forms of domestic violence/ abuse can be occurring at any one time within the same intimate relationship.

SIGNS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Using Coercion- Making her afraid by using looks, actions, gestures, smashing things, destroying property, abusing pets, displaying weapons

Using Isolation- Controlling what she does, who she sees and talks to, what she reads, 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 

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

Using 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 and women roles.

Using economic Abuse- Preventing her from getting or keeping a job. Making her ask for money. Giving her allowance, taking her money, not letting her know about or access to family income. 

TYPES OF ABUSE 

Spiritual Abuse - Preventing a woman from practicing her religion

Misusing spiritual or religious beliefs and practices 

Forcing a woman to act against her spirituality or religious  obligations

Verbal Abuse- A key feature of emotionally abusive relationships.

The perpetrator makes statements that negatively label a person, for example "you are a terrible mother" 

Signs of Verbal abuse- Name calling, continuous criticism, swearing and humiliation in public or private, attacks on a woman's intelligence, body or parenting, yelling. 

Sexual Abuse- Any forced or unwanted sexual activity. The perpetrator of sexual abuse may use physical force, make threats or take advantage of a person unable to give consent.

Sexual abuse mainly happens between two people who know each other and can occur in context of domestic violence.

Sexual Abuse has impacts on woman's physical and emotional health. It can lead to long term mental health issues, including anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder.