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Definitions of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence or domestic abuse is characterized as a pattern of coercive behaviors that may include repeated battering and injury, psychological abuse, sexual assault, progressive social isolation, deprivation, and intimidation. Someone who is or was involved in a intimate relationship with the victim perpetrates these behaviors.

A battered woman is defined as any woman over the age of 16 with evidence of physical abuse on at least one occasion at the hands of an intimate male partner.

The battered wife syndrome is a complex syndrome in which a woman experiences repeated, deliberate, and severe abuse resulting in various degrees in injury (Parker and Schumacher).

Physical Abuse: Physical abuse is the most overt type of domestic violence. Richwald and McClusky have categorized violent acts from the least to the most severe:

                Verbal abuse

                Threat of violence

                Throwing an object, throwing an object at someone

                Holding, tying down, or physically restraining

                Pushing, shoving

                Slapping, kicking

                Leaving her in a dangerous place

                Punching, choking, beating

                Refusing to help when she is sick or injured

                Threatening with a weapon

                Using a weapon

Sexual Abuse: Similar to rape occurring outside the family, marital rape appears to be mainly an act of violence and aggression in which sex is the method used to humiliate, hurt, degrade, and dominate women. The violence and brutality in the sexual relationship seem to escalate with time. Sexual violence is frequently accompanied by life-threatening acts or threats thereof. (Walker 1980) Sexual violence or �marital rape� includes:

                Criticizing her and calling her sexually degrading names

                Trying to make her perform sexual acts against her will

                Pursuing sexual activity when she is not fully conscious or is not asked or is afraid to say no

                Hurting her physically during sex

Physical attacks or assaulting the victim�s breasts or genitals including use of objects or weapons intravaginally, orally, and anally

Coercing her to have sex without protection against pregnancy or sexually transmissible diseases

Psychological/Emotional Abuse: Although physical and sexual violence are the more overt types of domestic violence and more likely to result in criminal justice intervention, the consequences of psychological abuse are often more traumatic and long lasting. Psychological/Emotional abuse is more than verbal arguments; it is the systematic destruction of self-esteem.  This type of abuse is often present in families where physical abuse or sexual abuse is present. Forms of emotional or psychological abuse include:

�       Threats of harm

�       Physical and social isolation

�       Extreme jealousy and possessiveness

�       Deprivation

�       Intimidation

�       Degradation and humiliation

�       Calling her names and constantly criticizing, insulting, and belittling her

�       False accusations, blaming her for everything

�       Ignoring, dismissing or ridiculing her needs

�       Lying, breaking promises or destroying trust

�       Driving fast and recklessly to frighten and intimidate her

Domestic Violence Questions and Answers

Who is the typical victim of domestic violence?

                Although domestic violence victims are from very walk of life, there are some high risk groups.  Young females who are not married, females who abuse alcohol or other drugs, pregnant females, females who witnessed domestic abuse as a child or was a victim of child abuse, females who marry as teenagers, and females who are pregnant before marriage are at a high risk for domestic violence.

Why would a woman stay with a man who abuses her?

                There are many reasons why a woman would remain in an abusive relationship.  The primary factor for women remaining in abusive relationships is fear for her own safety and that of her children.  Economic dependence (including lack of job-related skills), responsibility for children, and threats of injury are major factors in the decision to stay.  Low self-esteem, social/religious/cultural expectations, and love are also factors that may hinder a woman from leaving an abusive relationship.  A more appropriate question is �Why does he abuse her?�  We�ll discuss that in more detail later.

Who are the abusers?

                Abusers, as well as those who are abused, come from all age groups, cultures, economic and educational levels and religions.  Abusers and the abused also tend to come from homes where domestic violence and/or child abuse took place. Typically, abusers are inappropriately jealous, �loners�, suffer from low self-esteem and insecurity, and view violence as an appropriate way to solve problems.  Along with adhering to strict sex stereotypes, abusers may also use sex as an act of aggression to gain control.  Adding to the complexity of domestic violence is the abuser alternating between periods of abuse and periods of tenderness and affection.  These periods are often separated by a tension-building period.              

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