Types of Domestic Violence

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If you have been in an abusive marriage or relationship, you know that domestic violence can come in many different shapes and sizes. Domestic violence is often dismissed and disregarded if the victim does not have visible bruises or other marks. Read on to learn about other types of domestic violence. 

Physical Abuse

When you hear about domestic violence, physical abuse is the type of abuse that most people think of. Physical domestic abuse refers to when one partner physically causes harm, threatens to cause physical harm, or shows physically aggressive behavior. 

Some examples of physical abuse can include: 

  • Slapping
  • Hitting
  • Threatening harm with a weapon
  • Threatening to injure your loved ones (e.g., your kids, your parents, your pets)
  • Hitting walls
  • Throwing objects 
  • Taking away your option to leave the house/room

It is also considered physical abuse if the abuser withholds your physical needs. For example, if you are trying to sleep but your partner keeps waking you up so you cannot get any sleep, this is a physical abuse tactic. It is also physical abuse if they deny you food or water. After a while of enduring this, it will begin to take a toll on you physically or cause you great harm. 

Emotional Abuse

If you have experienced emotional abuse, do not let someone tell you that you are not a victim and a survivor of abuse. Emotional abuse can wear you down quickly. Emotional abuse occurs when someone uses your insecurities and vulnerabilities to destroy your self-esteem and self-worth. 

Some examples of emotional abuse can include:

  • Gaslighting
  • Manipulating
  • Tracking locations
  • Belittling
  • Ignoring/silent treatment
  • Public humiliation
  • Yelling or degrading

Emotional abuse can be exhausting and will often leave you blaming yourself for everything as a result. You need to get help before the emotional abuse goes further. Abusers have issues with control. Often, an emotional abuser will begin to lose control more and more and start to physically abuse you. Once you notice the signs of emotional abuse, you need to try your best to get out of there. 

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse is another way for an abuser to take control of you. Financial abuse occurs when the abusers use manipulation tactics to gain control of or limit your finances. 

Some examples of financial abuse can include:

  • Withholding money
  • Preventing you from working
  • Stealing your money
  • Ruining your credit score
  • Blocking access to your own bank account
  • Putting debt in your name

Financial abuse is scary because it can take away the resources you need to leave the relationship. Without resources, you may struggle to find a place to live or put food on your table. This abuse is a reason many victims may not get out. 

Sexual Abuse

Some believe that when you are married, there is no such thing as sexual abuse. However, this is not true. Married or not, no one is entitled to your body without your consent. If your partner performs any unwanted sexual acts or touching without your consent, this is sexual abuse. 

Some examples of sexual abuse can include:

  • Unwanted touching
  • Rape
  • Denying access to birth control
  • Telling you they will use a condom and then not using one without informing you
  • Coercion or guilting you into intercourse or sexual acts
  • Intercourse or sexual activity while you are drunk or unable to give consent

If you or someone you love is struggling with an abusive relationship, contact us today at Daniels, Long & Pinsel, LLC, for a free consultation, and we can help you figure out what the best next legal steps are. Our team of compassionate attorneys will work to care for you during this difficult time.

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