Definition
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in a relationship in which a person uses power and control to gain or maintain the upper hand against another individual in a familial or intimate setting.
Domestic violence can affect anyone, anywhere, at any time. It crosses all demographics.
Types of Domestic Violence
Abusers exert physical force against a partner or family member. It can be strangling, beating, burning, throwing down the stairs, kicking, shooting, cutting, etc.
Abusers attack their partner with words. Examples include name calling, yelling, cussing, threatening, making demeaning comments, nagging, belittling, constant phone calls, actively undermining their partner’s authority with children, criticizing, and humiliating them in public or in front of family and friends.
Tactics include threatening violence, forcing their partner to do degrading things, controlling activities, frightening their partner, using their partner’s children or grandchildren as leverage against them, killing or abusing a pet, creating crisis, embarrassment, and threatening to tell others about their sexuality in the case of LGBTQ+ couples.
Abusers keep their partner or family member financially vulnerable. Abusers destroy property or possessions or relatives’ property; take or deny requests for money; restrict access to household finances; withhold medical treatment; not allow their partner to work or attend school or force their partner to work.
Abusers fail to do what a reasonable person should under certain circumstances. It includes failure to provide food, shelter, clothing, and personal hygiene to a dependent person who needs such assistance; failure to take care of the needs of the dependent person; and failure to protect the dependent person from health and safety hazards.
Indicators
Include black eyes, busted lips, red or purple marks on the neck, sprained wrists, bruises on the arms.
Becoming withdrawn or distant, low self-esteem, overly apologetic or meek, fearful, anxious or on edge, symptoms of depression, loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities and hobbies, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, canceling appointments or meetings at the last minute, being late often, excessive privacy concerning their personal life, and isolating from friends and family.
Reporting
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 911 – they will dispatch assistance to you.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse and need emergency assistance, call our 24-hour crisis line at 815-235-1641.
More information is available under Services for You.