Abuse Recognition
Abuse is a forceful, controlling behavior that coerces a person to do what the abuser wants without regard to their rights, body, or health and include the following:
- Battering & Physical Assault: Throwing objects, pushing, hitting, slapping, kicking, choking, beating up, or attacking with a weapon. Forcing the victim to perform humiliating acts.
- Sexual Assault: Abuse of the vaginal area or forced intercourse (whether vaginal, oral or anal). Any sexual activity to which the victim does not consent.
- Verbal and Emotional Abuse: Told degrading remarks and put-downs; threatening to harm friends, family, children, or pets; or exerting inappropriate control over a person's life.
A battered person typically has fears that may keep them in a violent relationship, such as:
- No one will believe them.
- Everyone will blame them.
- The abuser will take the children.
- The justice system will treat them unfairly.
- They'll have no way to protect themselves or their loved ones.
The fears of battered persons are real and legitimate but there is help available.
A common profile of an abusive relationship is:
| Victims often... | Abusers often... |
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