Domestic abuse is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, irrespective of age, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, economic status or nationality. It is accompanied by a pattern of abusive behaviors that are used to gain or maintain power and control over a partner; physical violence, sexual assault, financial control, threats, intimidation, isolation and verbal abuse are some of the methods an abusive partner uses to gain control.
Some examples of abusive behaviors:
- Embarrassing or shaming the victim with insults or mockery.
- Controlling who the victim sees or talks to, where they go and what they do.
- Keeping the victim away from friends and family members.
- Intimidating victims with weapons or physical restraints.
- Threatening to hurt or kill the victim, family, friends, children or pets.
- Pressuring or forcing sexual actions and refusing to use protection.
- Pressuring or forcing the use of drugs or alcohol.
- Destroying property.
- Harassing the victim at the workplace.
- Stalking.