What is Abuse?

What is Abuse?

Abuse is the use of, or threat of, physical, sexual, or verbal behavior calculated to coerce the partner to do something one wants; to degrade or humiliate or to gain or maintain a sense of power or control. Abusive behaviors may include subtle or covert harm as well as life-threatening acts of violence. Abusive behaviors create an atmosphere of intimidation in a relationship.

What is Physical Abuse?

Physical abuse is any forceful physical behavior. Following are examples:

Pushing or shoving partner
Holding partner down, tying, or otherwise physically restraining partner from leaving
Throwing objects at partner that may hit her
Locking partner out of the house
Abandoning partner in dangerous places
Refusing to get partner help (i.e. medical attention) when she is sick, injured, or pregnant.
Denying or interfering with partner’s meeting basic physical needs (i.e. eating, sleeping, etc.)
Driving recklessly with partner in the car in order to intimidate her
Keeping partner from driving or forcing her off the road.
Harming or threatening to harm someone or something important to partner as a way to punish her (i.e. child, pet, cherished possession, etc.)
Tickling partner against her will
Biting, kicking, pinching, or pulling partner’s hair or other body parts.
Hitting or punching partner once, twice and/or repeatedly which may or may not result in visible physical injury
Hitting or beating partner with an object
Choking partner
Burning partner
Threatening partner with a weapon
Using a weapon on partner (i.e. stabbing or shooting partner)

Note that many of the above may not result in physical injury. The degree of injury to the partner is not what defines whether an action is abusive. It is the behavior itself and the atmosphere of intimidation that is created that defines abuse.