Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation; often including the threat or use of violence. It happens when one person believes he is entitled to maintain control over his partner.

Domestic violence may include emotional abuse, economic abuse, sexual abuse, using children, threats, using male privilege, intimidation, isolation and a variety of other behaviors used to maintain fear, intimidation, and power.

Acts of domestic violence generally fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Physical battering: physical attacks or aggressive behavior (ranging from bruising to murder)
• Sexual abuse: forced sexual intercourse, unwanted sexual activity.
• Psychological battering: constant verbal abuse, harassment, excessive possessiveness, isolating the victim from friends and family, deprivation of physical and economic resources, and destruction of personal property.

Domestic violence often begins with: threats, name-calling, violence in her presence (such as punching a fist through a wall) or damage to objects or pets. It may escalate to: restraining, pushing, slapping, pinching, punching, kicking, biting, or sexual assaults. Finally, it may become life threatening and include: chocking, breaking bones or the use of weapons.

If you are uncertain whether you or someone you know is involved in an abusive relationship, please feel free to contact our staff at 405.624.3020.