Power, Control, & Domestic Violence: Understanding the Different Forms of Domestic Abuse
Domestic violence refers to specific patterns of controlling behavior that are used to establish and maintain power over family members. While anyone may be a victim, research has shown that women are significantly more likely to experience domestic violence at the hands of a family member.
Here are a few tactics used by perpetrators of domestic violence.
Intimidation
This is one of the most common tactics used by abusers to perpetrate domestic violence. Using various intimidation strategies, they make the victims afraid of them. This goes beyond the fear of having the abuser present in the same house as them. The fear often stays with them even when they aren’t in the same vicinity.
Abusers use certain gestures, words, looks, or actions to instill this fear. For instance, they may intimidate the victim by smashing things or destroying their personal belongings. They may make verbal threats or display weapons to intimidate them into submission. Intimidation may also transgress into physical violence and abuse.
Male Privilege
When the perpetrator of domestic violence abuses their power within the family to make all decisions, they’re using their male privilege and asserting dominance. The abuser tends to act as the sole decision-maker and is the only one who has a say in various matters.
This doesn’t only extend to major decisions but also minor, seemingly harmless ones. Using their male privilege, they define the family roles very specifically and make it clear that nothing can be done without their approval.
Isolation
By controlling who the victim socializes with and limiting their interactions, abusers also employ isolation as a tactic. They can cut off any relationships and familial ties the victim has to prevent them from reaching out or getting any sort of support. This may be done explicitly through verbal commands or threats, or implicitly by constantly criticizing the victim’s family or friends. Similarly, they may also limit the victim’s interaction in a way that suits them best, for instance, by only allowing them to meet friends when they’re present as well.
Economic Abuse
This occurs when the abuser controls all the money or income of the household, even if they’re not the only one earning it. For instance, they may control what their spouse’s earnings are used for or take possession of it entirely.
Another way economic abuse manifests is when the abuser removes other family members (for e.g., their spouse) from having access to any money at all. They’re often the only means of monetary supply and can withhold it from the victim. Abusers may also sabotage the victim’s attempts to gain financial independence.
At Comprehensive Counseling Services, LLC, we offer a family violence intervention program for the perpetrators of violence. We also provide individual counseling services and group mental illness counseling Winder for victims of domestic violence.
Learn more about our services here.
