What Are The Types of Domestic Violence?

The prevalence of domestic violence in the United States is a public health problem. Everyone in the home is a victim where domestic violence occurs. Females, males, and children can become victims of violence in a household. Domestic abuse is identified as one partner having control over another. Symptoms of an abusive relationship may include:

• Isolation from friends, family, and co-workers

• Manipulation

• Physical and emotional violence

Victims experience anxiety, depression, and a general sense of helplessness.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse includes:

• Verbal abuse

• Humiliation

• Isolation

• Victim-blaming

Psychological abuse is very difficult to recognize. Symptoms of domesticated violence are very subtle. Manipulation to gain control of the other leads to greater harm inside a household. 

An example of emotional harm is gaslighting. The perpetrator uses tactics such as manipulating their partner into believing they are always the guilty party casting doubt on their own judgment. This makes the victim feel confused and irrational. 

Emotional abuse against children leads to worthlessness and child neglect. Abusers may belittle the child's feelings. A child at risk from domestic abuse has a difficult time building healthy relationships. Psychological abuse can cause great harm to the emotional and physical well-being of a child. Mental abuse usually escalates to physical harm. 

Physical Domestic Violence

Physical attacks inside the home usually include intimate partner violence (IPV). Studies show that IPV can lead to great physical and emotional consequences. According to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 4 women have experienced a form of domestic abuse during their lifetime. 38 million men have suffered psychological aggression during their lives. Males are at greater risk of long-term effects of domesticated violence. Oftentimes, males are denied help from shelters created for females.

Children exposed to this type of prolonged abuse experience anxiety, difficulty in school, and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Stalking

The act of stalking violates a person's privacy and safety. The transgressor causes their target to suffer emotional distress. These are recurring unwanted acts. This may include showing up at your work, calling, or texting you multiple times. 

One common form of stalking is cyberstalking. This pattern of behavior occurs with the use of technology. This is when the abuser uses technology to:

• Harass

• Terrorize

• Or an act that leads to violence against the sufferer

Stalking usually occurs when a partner tries to end the relationship. Victims of domestic abuse often experience stalking. 

Getting Help Is Possible

Some of the reasons why people have a difficult time leaving an abusive relationship include family, social expectations, and financial burdens. Another issue is the threat of violence. Many times there are children involved. Once a person identifies the abusive situation they are in, getting help is the next step to moving on.

A person who experiences domesticated abuse may not want to pursue legal matters but it may help to seek advice from a domestic violence attorney. Getting help to extricate oneself from an abusive situation is important such as seeking legal advisement. A lawyer who specializes in these types of cases can offer guidance on getting a restraining order, issues with child custody, and other legal matters.