Understanding DV

EMOTIONAL ABUSE...

• is telling you that you're stupid

• is telling you that you can't take care of yourself or your children without him or her

• is telling you that no one would love you if her or she were to leave

• incessant teasing

• manipulating you, such as guilting you into doing things

• blaming you

• tracking you

• threatening you

• excessive jealousy

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VERBAL ABUSE...

• name-calling

• putting you down

• insulting you

• yelling at you

• swearing at you

• being condescending

• body shaming you

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PHYSICAL ABUSE...

• is the most noticeable form of abuse

• hitting, kicking, punching, or shoving​

• choking

• restraining

• destruction of property is also common

• using weapons to harm you

• throwing things at you

• other things that put you in danger, including:

  • reckless driving

  • locking you out

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SEXUAL ABUSE...

• is being forced to have sex with your partner

• is being made to do things during sex that make you uncomfortable

• threatening to have an affair/having a affair

• comparing you to other sexual partners

• criticizing your body sexually

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CHILD ABUSE...

• threatening to harm children

• using children as leverage

• using children to control you​

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CULTURAL ABUSE...

• using culture to excuse behavior

• judging your culture

• using language barriers to silence you​

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FINANCIAL ABUSE...

• withholding money

• getting access to your money without your consent

• opening accounts in your name without your consent

• requiring records of everything you spent

• creating debt you didn't know about or agree to

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INTELLECTUAL ABUSE...

• saying you're crazy​

• saying you're overreacting

• shaming your preferences

• devaluing you and your opinions or beliefs

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PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE...

• gaslighting​

• threatening to commit suicide or self-harm

• threatening to kill you

• controlling your eating habits

 

PETS/PROPERTY ABUSE...

• destroying property​

• harming pets or threatening to harm pets

• selling items without your consent

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SOCIAL ABUSE...

• isolating you from friends or family​

• keeping you at home

• restricting your social media access or usage

• controlling your freedom to work/get an education

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SPIRITUAL ABUSE...

• using scripture to excuse behavior

• manipulate you or silence you

• refusing to get counseling or controlling your access to get counseling

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REPRODUCTIVE ABUSE...

• Withholding contraceptives

• Refusing to use contraceptives

• Lying about contraceptives usage

• Knowingly impregnating against your will

• Entrapment through pregnancy

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