July 24, 2017

Domestic violence is any act (verbal and/or physical) which breaks a person’s trust and/or safety; often seen as 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.

Dating violence occurs between two individuals in an intimate partner relationship. Elder abuse can occur with a dating partner but is actually more likely (more than half of the time) occurring between the elder and their caregiver or their adult child. The adult child can also be their caregiver.

Sexual violence (sexual assault) is any act (verbal and/or physical) which breaks a person’s trust and/or safety and is sexual in nature.

These are other types of abuse that can occur when someone is being sexually or physically abused:

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: Making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding one’s access to money, or forbidding one’s attendance at school or employment.

Psychological Abuse: Includes – 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.

By: Fond du Lac Area Womens Fund