What is DV | Voices Against Domestic Violence Network

What is Domestic Violence ?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.

Domestic violence can be:

Physical
Sexual
Emotional
Psychological
Technological

actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship.

This includes any behaviors that

Intimidate, Manipulate, Humiliate, Isolate, Frighten, Terrorize, Coerce, Threaten, Blame, Hurt, Injure or Wound someone

Examples of Abusive Behavior Include:

Physical Abuse:

Hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair pulling, etc. are types of physical abuse. This type of abuse also includes denying a partner medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drugs use upon him or her.

Sexual Abuse:

Coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent. Sexual abuse includes, but is certainly not limited to, marital rape, attacks on sexual parts of the body, forcing sex after physical violence has occurred, or threatening one in a sexual demeaning manner.

Emotional Abuse:

Undermining an individual’s sense of self-worth and/or self esteem is abusive. This may include, but is not limited to constant criticism, diminishing one’s abilities, name-calling, or damaging one’s relationship with his or her children.

Economic Abuse:

Controlling or restraining a person’s ability to acquire, use, or maintain economic resources to which they are entitled. This includes using coercion, fraud, or manipulation to restrict a person’s access to money, assets, credit, or financial information; unfairly using a person’s personal economic resources, including money, assets, or credit, or exerting undue influence over a person’s financial and economic behavior or decisions, including forcing default on joint or other financial obligations, exploiting powers of attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship, or failing or neglecting to act in the best interests of a person to whom one has a fiduciary duty.

Psychological Abuse:

Elements of psychological abuse include, but are not limited to, causing fear by intimidation, threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner’s family or friends, destruction of pets and property, and forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and/or work.

Technological Abuse:

An act or pattern of behavior that is intended to harm, threaten, control, stalk, harass, impersonate, exploit, extort, or monitor another person that occurs using any form of technology, including but not limited to, internet enabled devices, online spaces and platforms, computers, mobile devices, or communication technologies, or any other emerging technologies.

Source Justice Gov OVW Domestic-Violence

Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects countless individuals. Knowing the signs is the first step, but taking action is what truly makes a difference. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please reach out. There is help available, and you are not alone. You can also be a part of the solution by donating or volunteering to support organizations dedicated to providing safety and resources for survivors. Together, we can create a world free from violence.

If your life is in immediate danger, please call 911.

To get help: Call: 707-500-1023

If your life is in immediate danger, please call 911.

Safe Exit

Patterns of Abuse: Understanding the Many Forms of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors, not a single event. It's about one person using a variety of tactics to gain and maintain power and control over their partner. The abuse can take many forms, and they are often used together to create a cycle of fear and dependency.

Below are some of the common patterns of abuse.

The Characters

The Locksmith 🔗🔑

This character represents social isolation, a tactic used to cut off a person from their support system. An abuser may forbid you from seeing friends or family, spread lies about you, or monitor your communications to ensure you have no one to turn to for help.

The Account Keeper 💰

This figure embodies financial abuse, a powerful way to control a person's independence. An abuser might take your paycheck, prevent you from getting or keeping a job, or control all the money, leaving you financially dependent and trapped in the relationship.

The Puppet Master 🎭

This character symbolizes emotional and verbal abuse. It's a pattern of manipulation, gaslighting, and constant criticism designed to erode your self-esteem and make you question your own reality. The goal is to make you feel worthless and fully dependent on the abuser.

The Storm Cloud ⛅

This figure represents intimidation and threats. It’s the use of menacing looks, gestures, angry outbursts, or direct threats of harm to instill a constant sense of fear. The abuser doesn't need to physically hurt you to create a threatening environment that keeps you on edge.

The Muzzler 🤐

This character embodies sexual abuse and coercion. This pattern of abuse involves any unwanted sexual contact or forced sexual act. An abuser may also use threats or manipulation to pressure you into sexual acts you do not consent to.

The Ticking Clock 💥

This figure symbolizes physical abuse. Physical violence is often used to assert dominance and control in a relationship. This can include hitting, kicking, pushing, or any act that causes physical harm. The constant threat of physical violence can be just as damaging as the abuse itself.

Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects countless individuals. Knowing the signs is the first step, but taking action is what truly makes a difference. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please reach out. There is help available, and you are not alone. You can also be a part of the solution by donating or volunteering to support organizations dedicated to providing safety and resources for survivors. Together, we can create a world free from violence.

If your life is in immediate danger, please call 911.

To get help: Call: 707-500-1023

Safe Exit

What is Domestic Violence ?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.

Domestic violence can be:

Physical

Sexual

Emotional

Psychological

Technological

actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship.

This includes any behaviors that

Intimidate, Manipulate, Humiliate, Isolate, Frighten, Terrorize, Coerce, Threaten, Blame, Hurt, Injure or Wound someone

Examples of Abusive Behavior Include:

Physical Abuse:

Hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair pulling, etc. are types of physical abuse. This type of abuse also includes denying a partner medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drugs use upon him or her.

Sexual Abuse:

Coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent. Sexual abuse includes, but is certainly not limited to, marital rape, attacks on sexual parts of the body, forcing sex after physical violence has occurred, or threatening one in a sexual demeaning manner.

Emotional Abuse:

Undermining an individual’s sense of self-worth and/or self esteem is abusive. This may include, but is not limited to constant criticism, diminishing one’s abilities, name-calling, or damaging one’s relationship with his or her children.

Economic Abuse:

​

Psychological Abuse:

Elements of psychological abuse include, but are not limited to, causing fear by intimidation, threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner’s family or friends, destruction of pets and property, and forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and/or work.

Technological Abuse:

​

Source Justice Gov OVW Domestic-Violence​

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If your life is in immediate danger, please call 911.

​

To get help: Call: 707-500-1023

​

​

If your life is in immediate danger, please call 911.

Patterns of Abuse: Understanding the Many Forms of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors, not a single event. It's about one person using a variety of tactics to gain and maintain power and control over their partner. The abuse can take many forms, and they are often used together to create a cycle of fear and dependency.

Below are some of the common patterns of abuse.

The Characters

The Locksmith 🔗🔑

This character represents social isolation, a tactic used to cut off a person from their support system. An abuser may forbid you from seeing friends or family, spread lies about you, or monitor your communications to ensure you have no one to turn to for help.

The Account Keeper 💰

This figure embodies financial abuse, a powerful way to control a person's independence. An abuser might take your paycheck, prevent you from getting or keeping a job, or control all the money, leaving you financially dependent and trapped in the relationship.

The Puppet Master 🎭

This character symbolizes emotional and verbal abuse. It's a pattern of manipulation, gaslighting, and constant criticism designed to erode your self-esteem and make you question your own reality. The goal is to make you feel worthless and fully dependent on the abuser.

The Storm Cloud ⛅

This figure represents intimidation and threats. It’s the use of menacing looks, gestures, angry outbursts, or direct threats of harm to instill a constant sense of fear. The abuser doesn't need to physically hurt you to create a threatening environment that keeps you on edge.

The Muzzler 🤐

This character embodies sexual abuse and coercion. This pattern of abuse involves any unwanted sexual contact or forced sexual act. An abuser may also use threats or manipulation to pressure you into sexual acts you do not consent to.

The Ticking Clock 💥

This figure symbolizes physical abuse. Physical violence is often used to assert dominance and control in a relationship. This can include hitting, kicking, pushing, or any act that causes physical harm. The constant threat of physical violence can be just as damaging as the abuse itself.

​

If your life is in immediate danger, please call 911.

​

To get help: Call: 707-500-1023

Source Justice Gov OVW Domestic-Violence