Definitions of Violence

Common Definition for Violence: Displaying great physical force or rough action or showing great emotional force.

When Domestic Violence is addressed , four different types of violence may be addressed. They are:

1. Physical Violence
2. Sexual Violence
3. Destruction of Property and Pets

Psychological Violence (mental and emotional)

Physical Violence: May include hitting, slapping, grabbing, shoving, pushing, kicking, choking, scratching, punching, pulling, hitting with objects or using weapons in order to cause injury.

Some may think that grabbing is not being violent if they want somebody to come with them, but it is violence if physical force is being used to make someone do something, stop them from doing something or to go somewhere against that person's will. No One is justified in using violence unless it is in self defense even when it takes considerably less force to get away from someone than to engage in a fight, retaliate or teach someone a lesson.

Sexual Violence: Sexual Violence does not occur only between strangers. In fact, a good number of rapes occur between individuals who know one another. When someone forces another person to have sexual intercourse by means of physical force, threats or by use of a weapon, it is considered rape, which is the most common form of sexual violence. Other forms of sexual violence include: Forced sexual activity (oral sex, sodomy, etc.), forced sex with animals, forcing a person to have sexual intercourse or sexual activity with another person or forced sexual activity with objects.

In California, it is now against the law for a man to force his wife to have sex with him. It is called spousal rape and has been prosecuted successfully in court.

Destruction of Property and Pets: This type of violence is the easiest to understand. It includes: throwing objects against the wall, breaking dishes, breaking windows, kicking in doors, breaking television sets or other personal items that are meaningful to somebody, abusing, neglecting or killing pets.

This form of violence can be frightening in that the victim may imagine themselves in the place of the object. The intentional destruction of favorite possessions sends a powerful message to the victim.

Psychological Violence: Includes intense emotional battering on a regular basis designed to keep the victim emotionally dependent and foster a sense of low self-esteem. It includes constant put downs alone or in the presence of family and friends which are aimed at keeping the victim submissive and believing that they are not adequate as a person or capable of taking care of themselves, constant criticism, irrational jealousy, threats of abandonment, control of finances, refusal to listen to feelings, ideas, or allow expression of them, controlling choice of friends, church, social activities, leisure interests and treating the victim in a childlike manner.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence is the use of force to control and maintain power over another person. That force can be physical, verbal, psychological, and/or sexual. It involves intimidation, isolation and threats.

It is estimated that over half of the women in the United States will experience abuse in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence occurs within heterosexual and gay and lesbian relationships. It happens to adult and teenage women, men, in all races, cultures, professions, educational backgrounds.

Domestic violence usually begins with verbal and psychological abuse and can escalate into physical violence. Often predictable "cycle of violence" is established. The battered usually lives a life of social isolation's. Many abusers are so jealous that they will not allow their partners to participate in any activities outside of the home. An abused person rarely has a circle of friends, their partner may be their only source of emotional support. Therefore, if the partner tells them that they are worthless and incompetent, they are more likely to believe their abuser.