What Is Domestic Abuse?

Contrary to popular myth, domestic violence does NOT need to be physical to be abuse. In truth, domestic violence occurs

in many forms. Each is marked by a pattern of power and control.

Domestic abuse can be:

Physical This includes (but is not limited to) slapping, hitting, punching, kicking, physical restraint, aggravated assault, and forcing someone to take drugs.

Emotional This includes (but is not limited to) extreme displays of jealousy and/or possession, intimidation, blaming you for their problems, degrading and/or disrespectful behavior and comments, withholding communication, social isolation (i.e. preventing you from seeing friends or family), and threats of physical or sexual violence.

Verbal This includes (but is not limited to) name-calling; yelling; criticizing your appearance, actions and/or beliefs; humiliating you in public.

Sexual This includes (but is not limited to) sexual activity following a physically abusive incident, threats of infidelity, coerced sex acts, and forcible intercourse.

Economic This includes (but is not limited to) refusing to share control of family finances; destroying, giving away or selling your property without your consent; and using money as a tool to control your behavior or get what they want.

An Important Reminder

Any attempt to control the behavior and/or emotions of an intimate partner and diminish or prevent their free choice can constitute domestic abuse. Victims do not cause the abuse, and nothing a victim says or does can excuse the abuse

Abusers bear sole responsibility for their actions.

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Victims of domestic violence receive inadequate support from the police and court systems, which discourages the abused from reporting the abuse. We engage, educate and empower women to work together to end domestic violence. The Power of What If© a 501(3)(c) non-Profit Charity. All others are subsidiaries programs.

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