What is Domestic Violence ?

There are 5 forms of Domestic Violence.  Following each form of abuse is a list of possible ways a person can be abused. Please note that this is just a list of examples, if you are being harmed in any way, please seek help!

Verbal
*Feeling like you can never win and argument/discussion.
*Your self-esteem and self-confidence are shot.
* When you say he/she has hurt your feelings and your partner tells you that you are too sensitive.
*You have to walk on eggshells at home.You often are the brunt of jokes that make you feel bad.
* If you’re not very careful, the verbal abuse escalates to physical altercations.

Physical
*Striking
*Punching
*Pushing, pulling
*Slapping
*Striking with an object
*Excessive pinching on the body
*Excessive tickling to the point it hurts
*Kicking
*Tripping
*Kneeing
*Strangling
*Headbutting
*Drowning
*Sleep deprivation
*Exposure to cold, freezing
*Exposure to heat or radiation, burning
*Placing in stress positions (tied or otherwise forced)
*Cutting or otherwise exposing somebody to something sharp
*Exposure to a dangerous animal
*Withholding food or medication
*Biting
*Eye poking


Sexual
*Unwanted kissing or touching.
*Unwanted rough or violent sexual activity.
*Rape or attempted rape.
*Refusing to use condoms or restricting someone’s access to birth control.
*Keeping someone from protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
*Sexual contact with someone who is very drunk, drugged, unconscious or otherwise unable to give a clear and informed “yes” or “no.”
*Threatening someone into unwanted sexual activity.
*Repeatedly pressuring someone to have sex or perform sexual acts.
*Repeatedly using sexual insults toward someone.

Financial
* Rigidly controlling your finances
* Withholding money or credit cards
* Making you account for every penny you spend
* Withholding basic necessities (food, clothes, medications, shelter)
* Restricting you to an allowance
* Preventing you from working or choosing your own career
* Sabotaging your job (making you miss work, calling constantly)
* Stealing from you or taking your money

Emotional
*Manipulation with partner to partner or partner to children
*Lying
*Telling the other person they can’t live without them
*Making someone else feel guilty for choices they made
*Cheating
*Humiliation, degradation, discounting, negating. judging, criticizing
*Domination, control, and shame
*Accusing and blaming, trivial and unreasonable demands or expectations, denies own shortcomings
*Emotional distancing and the “silent treatment,” isolation, emotional abandonment or neglect
*Co-dependence 

Spiritual
*Forcing some to switch religions
*Making fun of someone’s religion
*Not allowing the other person to go to church