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What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to control, coerce, intimidate, threaten, manipulate and/or exude power over a current or past partner. Domestic violence may
be physical, emotional, sexual, and economic.
Who does it affect?
Domestic violence crosses all races, cultures, religions, ages, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic groups. The effects of domestic violence are far reaching. From schools and neighborhoods, to businesses and communities, its impact and costs are felt by all of us. SafeHouse Denver, Inc. provides a continuum of services to domestic violence victims.
How do I know if someone I care about is a victim of Domestic Violence?
- She seems threatened or frightened when her partner is angry.
- She worries that her partner will be jealous or suspicious.
- Her partner makes all or most of the decisions.
- Her partner criticizes her frequently.
- She apologizes frequently for her partner's behavior.
- She is withdrawn from friends and family; she seems in a hurry to get home.
- Her partner takes a strong interest in weapons.
- Her partner breaks things, throws things, or intimidates her.
- She may have to quit her job.
- She or her partner grew up in a violent family.
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The Cycle of Domestic Violence
shows how domestic violence often becomes a pattern made of three stages:
Tension Building
criticism, yelling, swearing, using angry gestures, coercion, threats
Violence
physical and sexual
attacks and threats
Seduction
apologies, blaming, promises to change,
gifts
It also explains how three dynamics, love, hope and fear, keep the cycle to end a violent relationship.
Love/Hope/Fear
keep the cycle in motion:
Love...
for your partner, the relationship has its good points, it's not all bad
Hope...
that it will change, the relationship didn't begin like this
Fear...
that the threats to kill you or your family will become reality.
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