Domestic Violence
What is domestic violence? While abuse among family members can take many forms, it may include emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.Acts of domestic violence generally fall into one or more of the following categories: Physical Battering- The abuser’s physical attacks or aggressive behavior can range from bruising to murder. Any aggressive behavior directed at another person, such as pushing, pinching, squeezing, shaking, grabbing, biting, slapping, punching, kicking, chocking, etc. It also includes throwing objects or using a weapon. It often begins with what is excused as trivial contacts that escalate into more frequent and serious attacks. Sexual Abuse- Physical attack by the abuser is often accompanied by, or culminates in, sexual violence wherein the woman is forced to have sexual intercourse with her abuser or take part in unwanted sexual activity. Psychological Battering-The abuser’s psychological or mental violence can include constant verbal abuse, harassment, excessive possessiveness, isolating the woman from friends and family, deprivation of physical and economic resources, and destruction of personal property. It is the infliction of emotional pain and suffering by doing things to control or degrade another person, such as persistent verbal attacks on self-esteem or the use of caustic remarks.Battering escalates. It often begins with behaviors like threats, name calling, violence in her presence (such as punching a fist through a wall), and/or damage to objects or pets. It may escalate to restraining, pushing, slapping, and/or pinching. The battering may include punching, kicking, biting, sexual assault, tripping, throwing. Finally, it may become life-threatening with serious behaviors such as (2)choking, breaking bones, or the use of weapons.