DOMESTIC VIOLENCE  IS ANY BEHAVIOR THE PURPOSE OF WHICH IS TO GAIN POWER AND CONTROL OVER A SPOUSE, PARTNER, GIRL/BOYFRIEND OR INTIMATE FAMILY MEMBER.  ABUSE IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR;IT IS NOT CAUSED BY ANGER, MENTAL PROBLEMS, DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, OR OTHER COMMON EXCUSES.    
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAN BE PHYSICAL, SEXUAL, EMOTIONAL, ECONOMIC, OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ACTIONS OR THREATS OF ACTIONS THAT INFLUENCE ANOTHER PERSON. THIS INCLUDES ANY BEHAVIORS THAT INTIMIDATE, MANIPULATE, HUMILIATE, ISOLATE, FRIGHTEN, TERRORIZE, COERCE, THREATEN, BLAME, HURT, INJURE, OR WOUND SOMEONE

PHYSICAL ABUSE
When a person uses physical force against you to cause or could cause you harm. It can involve any of the following violent acts:  

• scratching or biting
• pushing or shoving
• slapping
• kicking
• choking or strangling
• throwing things
• force feeding or denying you food
• using weapons or objects that could hurt you
• physically restraining you (such as pinning you against a wall, floor, bed, etc.)
• reckless driving
• denying a partner medical care
• forcing alcohol and/or drug use upon him or her
• other acts that hurt or threaten you.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE 
 Is a type of abuse that you can experience in an abusive relationship. Although it doesn’t leave you with physical scars, it can have a huge impact on your confidence and self-esteem. Emotional abuse comes in many forms,  such as undermining an individual’s sense of self-worth and/or self-esteem is abusive. This may include, but is not limited to,

• Verbal violence – yelling at you, insulting you or swearing at you.
• Rejection – pretending not to notice your presence, or ignoring your conversation.
• Put-downs – calling you names or telling you that you’re stupid, publicly embarrassing you, blaming you for everything.
• Causing fear – making you feel afraid, intimidated or threatened.
• Isolation – limiting your freedom of movement, stopping you from contacting other people (such as friends or family).
• Financial dependence – controlling or withholding your money, preventing you from working, stealing from you.
• Bullying – purposely and repeatedly saying or doing things that are hurtful to you.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE Is another form of abuse to include, 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.