FORMS OF VIOLENCE
FORMS OF VIOLENCE
Violence in relationships experienced by women can take various forms. It is not only that partner violence evolves over time, but it also increases in severity. The intensity of violence by a partner (or former partner) may fluctuate at different stages of the relationship. There is a common characteristic in violent relationships experienced by women, which is most often a combination of several forms of violence, while some of them may have a specific nature – for instance, gaslighting, post-separation abuse, announced crimes by a former partner, dangerous stalking, etc.
The forms of violence and their combinations are changed by violent men. Some of the forms of violence are obvious, they are easily identified by a woman or her surroundings. However, some displays of violence can be hidden, very sophisticated, and malicious, and therefore, they can be more difficult to identify and name by a woman or her surroundings.
Most definitions of violence in relationships acknowledge that its substance is formed by coercive control and physical violence is just one of the tactics used by violent partners or former partners to gain control over a woman.
Violence in relationships experienced by women can take various forms. It is not only that partner violence evolves over time, but it also increases in severity. The intensity of violence by a partner (or former partner) may fluctuate at different stages of the relationship. There is a common characteristic in violent relationships experienced by women, which is most often a combination of several forms of violence, while some of them may have a specific nature – for instance, gaslighting, post-separation abuse, announced crimes by a former partner, dangerous stalking, etc.
The forms of violence and their combinations are changed by violent men. Some of the forms of violence are obvious, they are easily identified by a woman or her surroundings. However, some displays of violence can be hidden, very sophisticated, and malicious, and therefore, they can be more difficult to identify and name by a woman or her surroundings.
Most definitions of violence in relationships acknowledge that its substance is formed by coercive control and physical violence is just one of the tactics used by violent partners or former partners to gain control over a woman.
Psychological violence
Psychological violence has a very diverse form and it manifests itself in all aspects of women’s lives. Most definitions of violence in relationships acknowledge that its substance is formed by coercive control and physical violence is just one of the tactics used by violent partners or former partners to gain control over a woman. The typical signs and manifestations representing coercive control include all the below-mentioned manifestations of not only psychological violence, intending to suppress women’s autonomy and strengthening the power of men in the relationship and the family.
Psychological violence has a very diverse form and it manifests itself in all aspects of women’s lives. Most definitions of violence in relationships acknowledge that its substance is formed by coercive control and physical violence is just one of the tactics used by violent partners or former partners to gain control over a woman. The typical signs and manifestations representing coercive control include all the below-mentioned manifestations of not only psychological violence, intending to suppress women’s autonomy and strengthening the power of men in the relationship and the family.
Manifestations of psychological violence include
- offensive language
- insulting
- humiliating (often in front of children or other people)
- constant criticism of a woman as a partner/wife/mother, lies
- blaming (shifting the blame for violence onto the woman)
- underestimating
- lecturing
- exhausting a woman (with discussions, by being forced to constantly reason and explain her behavior, by insisting on following rigid rules)
- belittling and slandering a woman in public
- preventing a woman’s access to healthcare and the use of medication
- offensive language
- insulting
- humiliating (often in front of children or other people)
- constant criticism of a woman as a partner/wife/mother, lies
- blaming (shifting the blame for violence onto the woman)
- underestimating
- lecturing
- exhausting a woman (with discussions, by being forced to constantly reason and explain her behavior, by insisting on following rigid rules)
- belittling and slandering a woman in public
- preventing a woman’s access to healthcare and the use of medication
- intimidation
- making threats
- threatening suicide
- threatening to harm or kill a woman, or other family members
- threatening to take away or abduct children
- threatening to kick her out of the house, threatening
- to ruin a woman’s career
- threatening to disclose a woman’s sex life to her family, religious community, or acquaintances through photographs
- involvement of other family members in violent behavior towards the woman
- other
- intimidation
- making threats
- threatening suicide
- threatening to harm or kill a woman, or other family members
- threatening to take away or abduct children
- threatening to kick her out of the house, threatening
- to ruin a woman’s career
- threatening to disclose a woman’s sex life to her family, religious community, or acquaintances through photographs
- involvement of other family members in violent behavior towards the woman
- other
Psychological, as well as other forms of violence are deliberate and focused, they have their purpose. The ultimate goal of the aforementioned manifestations of psychological violence by the perpetrators of violence is the acquisition of absolute power and control over the woman and the elimination of the autonomous manifestations and free will of the woman. The goal is also to disrupt a woman’s psychological integrity, self-confidence, and sense of self-worth. Another purpose of not only psychological violence is to discourage a woman from talking about the violence with someone from the neighborhood, from seeking and obtaining information, help, and support, and also from leaving. Last but not least, the perpetrator of violence ensures his impunity and that the violence remains hidden.
Questioning and undermining a woman’s self-confidence happens in a stealthy yet systematic way when a man questions a woman’s mental health and her ability to make sound judgments.
Typical manifestations of this behavior are statements such as “you are mentally ill”, “you should get treatment”, “you belong in a psychiatry”, “you are hysterical”, “you are oversensitive”, “no one will believe you anyway” and so on.
It is the combination of various manifestations of psychological violence that gradually causes psychological tension to become so “effective” that physical violence is no longer necessary, as the influence of intimidation and threats is effective enough.
Psychological, as well as other forms of violence are deliberate and focused, they have their purpose. The ultimate goal of the aforementioned manifestations of psychological violence by the perpetrators of violence is the acquisition of absolute power and control over the woman and the elimination of the autonomous manifestations and free will of the woman. The goal is also to disrupt a woman’s psychological integrity, self-confidence, and sense of self-worth. Another purpose of not only psychological violence is to discourage a woman from talking about the violence with someone from the neighborhood, from seeking and obtaining information, help, and support, and also from leaving. Last but not least, the perpetrator of violence ensures his impunity and that the violence remains hidden.
Questioning and undermining a woman’s self-confidence happens in a stealthy yet systematic way when a man questions a woman’s mental health and her ability to make sound judgments. Typical manifestations of this behavior are statements such as “you are mentally ill”, “you should get treatment”, “you belong in a psychiatry”, “you are hysterical”, “you are oversensitive”, “no one will believe you anyway” and so on. It is the combination of various manifestations of psychological violence that gradually causes psychological tension to become so “effective” that physical violence is no longer necessary, as the influence of intimidation and threats is effective enough.
Physical violence
Manifestations of physical violence include
- pushing, shoving
- hitting
- slapping
- kicking
- throwing to the ground or shoving into the wall/furniture, long-term denial of basic needs (sleep, food, water, etc.), pushing out the window/balcony
- ripping out hair, holding a woman’s head underwater
- strangling, burns
- stabbing
- hurting with objects
- threatening to use or using a weapon
- other
- pushing, shoving
- hitting
- slapping
- kicking
- throwing to the ground or shoving into the wall/furniture, long-term denial of basic needs (sleep, food, water, etc.), pushing out the window/balcony
- ripping out hair, holding a woman’s head underwater
- strangling, burns
- stabbing
- hurting with objects
- threatening to use or using a weapon
- other
The consequences of physical violence are bruises, cuts, burns, fractures, damage to hearing or sight, etc. The consequences of physical abuse can be very serious, life-threatening, or fatal. Some manifestations of physical violence may not leave traces, such as throwing objects directly at or close to a woman, the purpose of which is to intimidate the partner.
The consequences of physical violence are bruises, cuts, burns, fractures, damage to hearing or sight, etc. The consequences of physical abuse can be very serious, life-threatening, or fatal. Some manifestations of physical violence may not leave traces, such as throwing objects directly at or close to a woman, the purpose of which is to intimidate the partner.
Economic violence
Economic violence and abuse is an action that includes unequal access to the family’s financial resources and assets and their control to varying degrees. As a result of economic violence and abuse, the woman has limited financial resources to cover the costs of the household and children. Women and children often have a lower living standard than the violent partner and father of the children.
Economic violence and abuse is an action that includes unequal access to the family’s financial resources and assets and their control to varying degrees. As a result of economic violence and abuse, the woman has limited financial resources to cover the costs of the household and children. Women and children often have a lower living standard than the violent partner and father of the children.
Manifestations of economic violence and abuse include
- nnot contributing finances to the household
- refusing care for the woman and children
- limiting access to finances and property
- concealment of real income
- extorting money
- destruction of things and property
- family indebtedness
- causing financial damage
- damaging the property or deliberately increasing energy expenses and subsequent non-contribution
- forcing a woman to accept financial liabilities (with the woman’s knowledge, under threat, without her knowledge)
- nnot contributing finances to the household
- refusing care for the woman and children
- limiting access to finances and property
- concealment of real income
- extorting money
- destruction of things and property
- family indebtedness
- causing financial damage
- damaging the property or deliberately increasing energy expenses and subsequent non-contribution
- forcing a woman to accept financial liabilities (with the woman’s knowledge, under threat, without her knowledge)
- forcing a woman’s property to be transferred to the man (inheritance, property acquired before marriage, property received as a gift, etc.)
- transfer of property acquired during marriage to the man’s company
- requiring detailed statements (even the smallest expenses)
- absolute control of joint finances
- forcing the disclosure of the woman’s account password and manipulating the account without her knowledge
- exhaustion with endless lawsuits
- preventing the woman from earning and having her own income
- preventing the woman from getting a job or studying, thus increasing the level of her own resources or potential
- other
- forcing a woman’s property to be transferred to the man (inheritance, property acquired before marriage, property received as a gift, etc.)
- transfer of property acquired during marriage to the man’s company
- requiring detailed statements (even the smallest expenses)
- absolute control of joint finances
- forcing the disclosure of the woman’s account password and manipulating the account without her knowledge
- exhaustion with endless lawsuits
- preventing the woman from earning and having her own income
- preventing the woman from getting a job or studying, thus increasing the level of her own resources or potential
- other
Another manifestation of economic violence, which also partly belongs to the psychological form of violence, occurs in relationships where the woman has more income than her partner (significantly more in some cases). In such a violent relationship, the woman can be punished for this higher income of hers, although the man benefits greatly from it. The violence then shows itself in a form of compensation, humiliating the woman, forcing her to account for expenses for her needs, criticizing her for buying necessities for the children, etc.
However, from our experience, economic violence can become counterproductive for the man in some cases. In cases, where the woman has the possibilities and favorable life circumstances, she will gradually and continually build financial independence from the partner without relying on his financial contributions, so that she doesn’t have to worry about not supporting herself and her children after leaving the partner. This coerced full or partial financial independence of women, absolute control of men over family finances and their limited or no contribution to the family budget thus turns against the men’s intentions, when this tactic of theirs was supposed to lead to the complete dependence of women and children on them and to make it impossible for women to lead an independent life. Despite that, not all women have this option, such as women who are at home with small children, have lost their jobs, have no family support, or live in poverty.
Another manifestation of economic violence, which also partly belongs to the psychological form of violence, occurs in relationships where the woman has more income than her partner (significantly more in some cases). In such a violent relationship, the woman can be punished for this higher income of hers, although the man benefits greatly from it. The violence then shows itself in a form of compensation, humiliating the woman, forcing her to account for expenses for her needs, criticizing her for buying necessities for the children, etc.
However, from our experience, economic violence can become counterproductive for the man in some cases. In cases, where the woman has the possibilities and favorable life circumstances, she will gradually and continually build financial independence from the partner without relying on his financial contributions, so that she doesn’t have to worry about not supporting herself and her children after leaving the partner. This coerced full or partial financial independence of women, absolute control of men over family finances and their limited or no contribution to the family budget thus turns against the men’s intentions, when this tactic of theirs was supposed to lead to the complete dependence of women and children on them and to make it impossible for women to lead an independent life. Despite that, not all women have this option, such as women who are at home with small children, have lost their jobs, have no family support, or live in poverty.
Sexual violence
In the case of sexual violence (in literature sometimes as sexualized violence), it is important to know that its ultimate goal is not sexual satisfaction, but control of the body, soul, and mind of a woman.
In the case of sexual violence (in literature sometimes as sexualized violence), it is important to know that its ultimate goal is not sexual satisfaction, but control of the body, soul, and mind of a woman.
MANIFESTATIONS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE INCLUDE
- harassment
- unwanted touching
- sexually insulting and belittling a woman
- forcing sex, the man uses threats and strength
- raping and sexual assaults
- knowingly causing pain during sex
- being forced to engage in unpleasant sexual practices
- being forced to have sex with other men, or in front of other people
- combining sex and violence, including the use of weapons
- banning or ordering to use contraception
- being forced to watch pornography
- being forced into prostitution
- sexually abusing children and forcing the woman to watch or conceal the abuse
- intentionally infecting a woman with sexually transmitted diseases (HIV/AIDS)
- other
- harassment
- unwanted touching
- sexually insulting and belittling a woman
- forcing sex, the man uses threats and strength
- raping and sexual assaults
- knowingly causing pain during sex
- being forced to engage in unpleasant sexual practices
- being forced to have sex with other men, or in front of other people
- combining sex and violence, including the use of weapons
- banning or ordering to use contraception
- being forced to watch pornography
- being forced into prostitution
- sexually abusing children and forcing the woman to watch or conceal the abuse
- intentionally infecting a woman with sexually transmitted diseases (HIV/AIDS)
- other
Social abuse
The goal and at the same time the tactic of social abuse is to isolate a woman and increase her dependence on her partner. The ultimate goal is social control of the woman – the control of her social contacts and possibilities of support, information, and the possibility of disclosing violence, which otherwise happens without witnesses. Manifestations of social abuse include banning or limiting contact with family, friends, and acquaintances, locking in an apartment/house, taking away or blocking a mobile phone, being forced to meet solely with the man’s family and circle of acquaintances, etc.
The goal and at the same time the tactic of social abuse is to isolate a woman and increase her dependence on her partner. The ultimate goal is social control of the woman – the control of her social contacts and possibilities of support, information, and the possibility of disclosing violence, which otherwise happens without witnesses. Manifestations of social abuse include banning or limiting contact with family, friends, and acquaintances, locking in an apartment/house, taking away or blocking a mobile phone, being forced to meet solely with the man’s family and circle of acquaintances, etc.
SPECIFIC FORMS OF VIOLENCE
STALKING
Ending an abusive relationship does not necessarily mean an immediate stoppage of violence. Many abusive or rejected partners continue the abuse through stalking and/or cyberstalking. Dangerous stalking is violent and coercive behavior, i.e. continuing violence after the relationship has ended to cause fear, control, coercion to return to the relationship, and/or revenge. The continuation of this form of violence seriously interferes with the lives of women and girls, preventing them from regaining a sense of safety and healing from violence.
Stalking (as well as cyberstalking) has severe physical, psychological, and financial consequences for women and girls.
If you are experiencing any form of harassment, intimidation, or coercion, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Together we can resolve your situation and stop this behavior while increasing your safety.
Ending an abusive relationship does not necessarily mean an immediate stoppage of violence. Many abusive or rejected partners continue the abuse through stalking and/or cyberstalking. Dangerous stalking is violent and coercive behavior, i.e. continuing violence after the relationship has ended to cause fear, control, coercion to return to the relationship, and/or revenge. The continuation of this form of violence seriously interferes with the lives of women and girls, preventing them from regaining a sense of safety and healing from violence.
Stalking (as well as cyberstalking) has severe physical, psychological, and financial consequences for women and girls.
If you are experiencing any form of harassment, intimidation, or coercion, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Together we can resolve your situation and stop this behavior while increasing your safety.
SPECIFIC FORMS OF VIOLENCE
CYBERSTALKING
In recent years, along with the development of technological possibilities, we have noticed a huge increase in the use of technology and the Internet to control and monitor former partners/wives or women who have rejected men. The misuse of technology has become a common part of the violence that women and girls experience. At the same time, we perceive that the awareness of this form of violence and the ways to effectively defend against it is not spreading at the same speed.
Cyberstalking manifests itself as intimidation, harassment (including sexual harassment) and obtaining information, forcing communication and contact, and persistent coercion through technology and the Internet. The perpetrator’s goal is to humiliate and take revenge on the woman, force her back into the relationship, etc.
If you are experiencing similar behavior, please contact us. We will talk about how to effectively defend against them, and take specific steps to stop the perpetrator once and for all and achieve justice.
In recent years, along with the development of technological possibilities, we have noticed a huge increase in the use of technology and the Internet to control and monitor former partners/wives or women who have rejected men. The misuse of technology has become a common part of the violence that women and girls experience. At the same time, we perceive that the awareness of this form of violence and the ways to effectively defend against it is not spreading at the same speed.
Cyberstalking manifests itself as intimidation, harassment (including sexual harassment) and obtaining information, forcing communication and contact, and persistent coercion through technology and the Internet. The perpetrator’s goal is to humiliate and take revenge on the woman, force her back into the relationship, etc.
If you are experiencing similar behavior, please contact us. We will talk about how to effectively defend against them, and take specific steps to stop the perpetrator once and for all and achieve justice.
PATTERNS OF VIOLENCE
Isolation
Manipulation
Maintaining fear
Humiliation and defamation
Abstaining from responsibility for the violence
Blaming your partner for your own behavior
Asserting absolute control
Excuses for violence
Enforcing trivial activities and exhausting
Occasional favors
Distorting reality
Isolation
Manipulation
Maintaining fear
Humiliation and defamation
Abstaining from responsibility for the violence
Blaming your partner for your own behavior
Asserting absolute control
Excuses for violence
Enforcing trivial activities and exhausting
Occasional favors
Distorting reality
