Domestic Violence is a pattern of abusive behavior used to maintain
control or assert power over an intimate partner (spouse, former-spouse,
co-parent, or dating partner), a parent or a present or former household
member.
Abusive behaviors are not limited to physical violence such
as punching or kicking, they also include psychological, verbal, sexual
and economic abuse.
Examples of Abusive Behaviors Include:
Physical : Hitting, slapping, pushing, biting,
punching, choking and restraining.
Psychological:
Making partner feel insecure :
attacks on self esteem, blaming, criticizing, manipulation,
making partner feel crazy, humiliating, & creating
feelings of guilt.
Intimidation : threatening looks
or behavior, throwing objects, breaking things, & punching
walls, playing on partner's fears.
Isolation : stopping the person
from seeing friends and family, sabotaging relationships, pressuring
partner into giving up activities or work, & keeping tabs
on partner.
Verbal: cursing, swearing, yelling, put downs, name
calling, and criticizing thoughts and feelings.
Sexual: Any non-consenting sexual act or behavior,
unwanted sexual contact, comments or gesturing within a relationship, manipulating
a partner
into doing something sexual they do not feel comfortable with.
Economic: Controlling all finances, preventing partner from getting
a job.
Domestic Violence:
Is Widespread - One in every four women report being sexually or
physically assaulted by a spouse, cohabiting partner or date at some time
in their lifetime, according to the National Violence Against Women Survey.
Doesn't Discriminate - Domestic Violence occurs
in people from every ethnic background, educational level, income, age,
race, and religion regardless of martial status or gender preference.
Recurs and Escalates over time.
Is All Encompassing affects the work, school, home, and social life
of every member of the family.
Domestic Violence
1.888.843.9262
Sexual Assault 1.888.264.Rape
(7273)
TTY# 1.732.264.3089
Youth Helpline 2ndFloor 1.888.222.2228 24 hours a day -
7 days a week
