What are the different types of abuse? | Naomi's Family Resource Centre

What are the different types of abuse?

Physical:

Any unwanted physical contact, e.g. kicking, punching, pulling, pushing, slapping, hitting, pulling hair, arm-twisting, squeezing hand or arm, choking, pushing up against the wall, pointing finger, poking
Stopping her from leaving
Restraining her in any way
Standing to close
Picking her up, holding or hugging when it is unwanted
Shooting, murder

Sexual

Forcing intercourse
Forcing certain positions
Total lack of intimacy
Adultery, cheating, sleeping around
Constantly pestering for intercourse
Treating her as a sex object
Intimidation by knowledge or reputation
Getting back at her by refusing to have intercourse
Using intercourse as a basis for an argument
Put downs
Being rough
Pornography

Social

Not taking responsibility for the children or using children as a weapon
Abusing children physically and sexually
Embarrassment in front of the children
Putting her down or ignoring her in public
Stopping her from seeing friends
Using as a continual joke or putdown about her with others
Choosing friends or family over her
Not taking her out
Keeping her busy in the kitchen, i.e. during a party
Change of personality with others
Not being nice to her friends
Make a “scene”

Financial

Withholding money
Spending money foolishly or beyond means
Not spending money on special occasion e.g. her birthday
Making the decisions in terms of how the money is spent without her input

Emotional/Verbal/Psychological

Insults, yelling, name calling, verbal threats
Intimidation, playing “mind games”
Overpowering her emotions
Bringing up old issues and arguments
Degrading her
Inappropriate expression of jealousy
Turning around a situation against her
Brainwashing
Laughing in her face
Raising your voice
Silence, isolation, ignoring her
Walking away from a discussion
Refusing to deal with issues
Pressuring her
Lying
Treating her as a child, putting her up on a pedestal
Agreeing with her even though you don’t
Manipulation, making her fearful
Putting her or her family down
Finding and verbalizing her faults, comparing her to other people
Expecting her to conform to a role
‘Typical male chauvinistic dominance’
Overly sarcastic or critical
Lack of consideration for her opinions
Trying to get the last word in
Pre-violence cues
Egging her on
Disbelieving her
Woman hating e.g. jokes, putdowns etc.
Having a double standard for her
Double bind, e.g. telling her one thing but really meaning another
Unflattering or belittling comments about her physical appearance
Coming home drunk, not coming home
Not taking responsibility or taking away her responsibilities
Not keeping commitments
Doing the opposite of what you said you’d do
Making a fool of her
Being rude
Making threats to partner about yourself, e.g. “I’ll kill myself if you…”
Starting arguments

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