Often when we think of domestic violence, we think of physical abuse that results in visible injuries to the victim. However, this is only one type of abuse. There are several types of abusive behavior, each one has its own repercussions. Lethality (the capacity to cause death or serious harm) involved with physical abuse may place the victim at higher risk, but the long-term destruction that accompanies the other forms of abuse is significant and cannot be minimized.
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used by someone in a position of authority to maintain power and control over another person. This can be an intimate partner, an adult child abusing their elderly parent, a teacher abusing their student, etc.
Please explore the following sections to learn more about how to identify domestic violence.
- Control
- Physical Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Emotional Abuse & Intimidation
- Isolation
- Verbal Abuse: Coercion, Threats, & Blame
- Economic Abuse
