Types Of Domestic Violence: What To Watch Out For

It’s not uncommon for many people to hear the words “domestic violence” and assume that it means physical abuse of some kind. But the fact is that there are many types of domestic violence that a person can be the victim of, and knowing what they are can help those who might be affected by it recognize the problem.

The most common definition of domestic violence is, “A pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.” Within that definition, many different types of domestic violence can occur.

Domestic Violence Types

Common types of domestic violence include things like:

• Physical Abuse: Includes hitting, slapping, biting, pulling hair, etc. It also includes denying someone medical treatment and/or forcing drug or alcohol use on someone.
• Sexual Abuse: Coercing or attempting to coerce a the victim into having sexual contact or sexual behavior without the victim’s consent.
• Emotional Abuse: Often takes the form of constant criticism, name-calling, injuring the victims relationship with his/her children, or interfering with the victims abilities.
• Economic Abuse: Trying to make the victim financially reliant on the abuser, often by taking total control over financial resources and restricting the victim’s access to funds.
• Psychological Abuse: Intentional intimidation, threats of physical harm to either the victim, children, or loved ones. Also includes ; isolating the victim from loved ones; and prohibiting the victim from going to school or work.
• Stalking: Following the victim, spying, watching, harassing, and showing up at a victim’s home or work. Individually these acts are typically legal, but any of these behaviors done continuously results in a stalking crime.

Domestic violence can also now include certain types of online behaviors meant to harass, intimidate, abuse, or otherwise harm a victim.
 

Getting Help For Domestic Violence

One of the fastest and easiest options to help end all types of domestic violence is to get what’s known as a Domestic Violence Restraining Order, or DVRO. A DVRO can be issued by any judge and can last anywhere from a few days to five years, depending on the type of order issued.

Other resources, like the National Domestic Violence Hotline, are available as well.

If you need help dealing with a legal issue relating to domestic violence or a restraining order, please contact us as soon as possible.