What Is Domestic Violence and What to Do If You Face it?

Domestic violence means living with abusive, violent, or intimidating behavior from someone with whom you share a relationship. This violent behavior doesn’t have to take place only within the home. Still, it does happen when some intimate partner or a family member has control and power over you. If you’re experiencing domestic violence in any way, the team of domestic violence attorneys at Stroleny Law, P.A. recommend you reach out to a lawyer who specializes in domestic violence as soon as possible to fight to recover your life.

Some of the most common forms of domestic violence are:

Emotional Abuse

In many cases, it’s difficult to recognize emotional abuse since there may be no physical signs that it’s taking place, but that doesn’t make it less real or hurtful. Someone is emotionally abused when they destroy the other person’s feelings of self-worth or independence.

Sexual Abuse

Rape is not the only expression of sexual abuse, there may be a range of other unwanted and not desired sexual behaviors used by the offender to control their victim.

Social Abuse

When someone is insulted or humiliated in front of other people or kept isolated from their friends and family, it’s considered social abuse. This also includes control over what the victim does or where they go.

Financial Abuse

Leaving the victim without access to money or having complete control over their finances means that the victim must ask the abuser for every cent they need, making them feel diminished and powerless.

Spiritual Abuse

An individual is a victim of spiritual abuse when they’re not permitted to have their own points of view regarding religious beliefs, culture, and values. The victim may be made to feel shame for what they believe in and be prevented from practicing their cultural or religious traditions.

Physical Abuse

A relationship based on someone being threatened or hurt means the victim will live in fear, with no possibility of leaving or finding where to hide from the physical abuse.

What are the main signs of an abusive relationship?

To someone looking from the outside, signs of an abusive relationship may be obvious. However, living with it daily may mean that the victim didn’t notice this right away or that they did but have been made to feel powerless as to their own lives and decisions.

Here are some clear signs of being on the lookout.

Jealousy – Constant accusations of unfaithfulness or flirting. Isolation from friends and family or being rude to them.

Possessiveness – Constantly checking on the victim to see where or what they’re doing. Control over what the victim does or says.

Threats – Yelling or sulking. Breaking things that are valuable to the victim. Threats to use violence against them or their family members or pets.

Take Action When Faced with Domestic Violence

Your abuser may want to downplay the abuse or make you believe it’s all in your mind. Deciding to leave this situation may not be easy. But it’s important to talk to someone you trust who may help you leave. You may seek a shelter or refuge to seek temporary accommodations. Or stay with family or friends while a more permanent solution can be found. You have rights; let a domestic violence attorney help you protect them and your life.