4 Types…

 Using physical force  Causing harm to the body  Burning, biting, choking, grabbing, etc.

 Controlling who the person hangs out with  Isoloating person from friends or family

 Sex or sexual contact against the person’s will  Forcing themselves upon a person without their permission

 Using threats  Causing emotional trauma  Humiliation (making fun of them)

 Many of you are thinking, “this is crazy, I would slap them, I would call the cops, I would break up with them etc.”  It is not always that easy when it comes to abuse.  Turn to the person next to you and discuss why an individual would continue a relationship with someone that was abusive.

 Abuse can run in families  Children who witness it among their parents are likely to experience abuse as adults or be abusive themselves

 belief that the abusive partner will change because of his remorse and promises to stop battering  fear of the abuser who threatens to kill the victim if abuse is reported to anyone  lack of emotional support  guilt over the failure of the relationship  attachment to the partner  fear of making major life changes  feeling responsible for the abuse  feeling helpless, hopeless and trapped  belief that she is the only one who can help the abuser with his problems

 economic dependence on the abuser  fear of physical harm to self or children  fear of emotional damage to the children over the loss of a parent, even if that parent is abusive  fear of losing custody of the children because the abuser threatens to take the children if victim tries to leave  lack of job skills  social isolation and lack of support because abuser is often the victim’s only support system  lack of information regarding where to go for help  belief that law enforcement will not take her and him seriously  lack of alternative housing  cultural or religious constraints