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Abusive Behaviors
Relationship violence includes not only physical and sexual abuse but also extends to other forms of threatening and harmful behaviors.
Learn more about the various forms of abuse.
Forms of Abuse
Physical abuse entails the deliberate use of force, unwanted physical contact, or proximity to someone’s body in a manner that causes injury or puts them in danger. Even actions that don’t result in visible harm are unacceptable and constitute abuse.
Physical abuse includes:
- Punching, slapping, heading, kicking, pinching, pulling hair, biting, etc.
- nice it worked preventing them from eating or sleeping
- Damaging property or throwing things
- Using weapons to threaten or harm them
- Blocking a door or restraining them to prevent them from leaving
- Harming children or pets
- Forcing the use of drugs or alcohol
- Grabbing their face, throat or neck
One of the more subtle forms of relationship violence, Financial abuse, is also the most common. It involves leveraging money to assert power and control, which may include preventing someone from working, pursuing education, accessing money, or participating in financial decisions. It is never acceptable to manipulate or control someone’s finances, their spending, or their earning potential.
Financial abuse includes:
- Denying them access to personal or family income
- Forbidding or limiting work education
- Causing them to lose their job
- Stealing their money or property
- Refusing to work or contribute to the household
- Confiscating individual or joint tax returns
- Refusing to pay for Necessities or shared expenses
- Forcing them to sign financial documents
- Making them account for every cent spent
