What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic violence, or domestic abuse, is described as harmful behavior that is used by one person in an intimate relationship to control or maintain dominion over other partners.
There are various types of it – physical, emotional, psychological, and even financial abuse. Signs of it could be observed, and help could be sought out to make a change for its prevention.
Types of Domestic Abuse
Physical Abuse: The use of physical force that causes injury or pain, such as striking, shoving, hitting, pinching, biting, hair pulling, and any type of physical assault.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Emotional or psychological abuse includes manipulation, belittlement, or controlling behavior that seeks to undermine the self-worth or mental health of the victim.
It can include threats, intimidation, humiliation, as well as gaslighting and constant criticism.
Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual activity or intimidation of another person to commit any sexual act within an intimate relationship usually involving manipulation together with exploitation.
Financial Abuse: This ranges from one partner restricting to taking advantage of the other in terms of managing their financial resources, limiting access to money, withholding information regarding finances or even not allowing them to work make decisions concerning finances.
Digital or Technological Abuse: The use of the partner’s technology to control, intimidate, or startle the other. The one may monitor computers and electronic devices and may use social media to undermine or startle the victim.
Verbal Abuse: It consists of using the words to denigrate, insult or make the person feel humiliated. From yelling, naming, constant criticism, by using threatening language.
Signs of Hurtful Relationship
- Control and Power
- Fear and Intimidation
- Isolation from Friends and Family
- Unexpected Anger
Domestic abuse and abusive relationships: How do they Start?
Early Warning Signs
Overly possessive and jealous behavior includes isolating the partner from friends and family, closely observing their every move, and persistently doubting or accusing them of being unfaithful.
Controlling behavior can include telling your partner what to wear, where to go, and how to behave, as well as managing their money and making decisions.
Quick Involvement: Advancing the relationship quickly, such as making a big love declaration too soon or wishing to move in together or get married too soon.
Mood swings and explosive temper: displaying abrupt mood swings, displaying intense rage, or displaying an explosive temper, particularly over trivial matters.
Verbal and emotional abuse includes using derogatory language, threats, insults, and putdowns. manipulating their feelings, placing all the blame or making them feel unworthy of them.
Physical violence is defined as any act of harm or violence that involves the use of force to subdue a partner, including pushing, hitting, slapping, kicking, or other similar actions.
Forcing or pressuring a partner into sexual activity against their will, ignoring their refusal, or making them feel bad about saying no are examples of forced intimacy or sexual coercion.
Gaslighting is the art of deceiving a partner into doubting their own thoughts, memories, or emotions in order to create confusion and self-doubt.
Threats and intimidation: Making threats to hurt oneself, one’s significant other, their family, or their pets. intimidating people in order to get them to comply.
Isolation refers to a partner’s refusal to spend time with friends, family, or engage in extramarital affairs.
