What is abuse?

Domestic abuse is about control. It isn't limited to physical abuse, but can consist of other controlling behaviors. Abusive, violent relationships may consist of behaviors such as these.

Physical Violence

• Punching
• Dragging
• Burning
• Cutting
• Choking/ Strangling
• Restraining
• Tripping
• Threatening with a weapon
• Burning
• Kicking
• Shoving
• Slapping
• Twisting an arm
• Poking
• Biting
• Spitting

Sexual Abuse

• Rape
• Forced sexual acts
• Unwanted sexual comments or touching
• Bringing other sex partners home
• Constant sexual demands
• Withholding sex
• Forced pregnancy
• Accusing victim of having affairs
• Bragging about infidelity or incest
• Coerced sexual acts

Financial Abuse

• Restricting access to money
• Controlling all bills and financial accounts
• Placing all bills in victim's name and refusing to provide payment
• Selling or destroying victim’s possessions
• Forcing victim to work, but not working themselves.
• Not allowing the victim to have adequate living conditions, clothes, or food

Verbal Abuse

• Yelling
• Insulting or talking down to victim
• Making threats
• Threatening to take away children or call Child Protective Services
• Racial or gender slurs
• Belittling victim’s feelings and achievements

Emotional Abuse

• Embarrassing, ridiculing or humiliating you in front of others
• Taking or destroying your property
• Threatening to hurt others, including your pets, you care about
• Ignoring you
• Living with alcohol or drug abuse
• Constant demands on time or attention
• Forcing agreement with other's opinions
• Cutting you off from family and friends
• Threatening suicide if you leave
• Making threats
• Attacking your religious/spiritual beliefs or using religion as an excuse for the abuse
• Using your immigration against you

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