We like to tell ourselves we know exactly what domestic violence is. But what I found out shocked me.
What comes to mind when you think of domestic violence? Do you envision a young woman–maybe she’s pregnant–at the mercy of a tyrant who won’t let her see her friends and leaves bruises? If you do, you’re not alone. That’s what I thought domestic violence was, too. When Pro-Tek™ asked me to write this-two part blog series to honor Domestic Violence Month, I wrote about that real life family.
But in reality domestic violence casts a wider shadow than that. It happens far more often in tolerable or dismissive guises. And because these unpleasant behaviors aren’t always so flagrant, they can go on for years undetected while its victims–not just women, by the way, but folks from all walks of life–are silently suffering. Because hardly anyone is talking about this.
Not even domestic violence websites. Of all the sites I researched none had as eye-opening a definition as Doorwaysva.org. I was astounded to discover I had no idea what domestic violence really was. Keep reading and I’ll bet you’ll be as surprised as I was.
I’m passionate about this on behalf of a beautiful friend of mine I’ll call Faith, because she was a believer that things would always get better and love would always draw out the best in people.
Faith was married to man who suffered from chronic pain that only seemed to get worse no matter what they tried. Eventually, her husband began to yell at her and the kids, demand unreasonable things from them like never getting upset around him and keeping the house immaculately clean. He started to become more and more violent and broke some of her dishes, cornered her against the wall, shoved open a door she was trying to close to get away from him, and throwing her cell phone at her. Faith explained it that her husband was in pain and not thinking straight, and this was the worst it would ever get.
Faith was wrong. She divorced her husband and moved out, and the violence turned on their children in the form of yelling, threats to kick them out of the house, pinning them against the wall, threats to “tear their throats out,” and bragging that he kept a loaded gun in his bedroom. Faith finally notified her local DHS, and a social worker intervened. The violence has mostly stopped, but the children will be in process of recovery for years. It’s a reasonable ending to ten years of abuse, but I feel sad the violence had to get to this level before Faith understood she needed help.
If only I knew then what I’m sharing with you now.
Physical Violence
Let’s start here, since this is what most people equate with domestic violence. The list is broader than just hitting. It also includes:
- Throwing objects at partner
- Pulling or ripping out hair
- Biting
- Spitting at or near partner
- Subjecting someone to reckless driving
- Non-consensual rough play (i.e. martial arts, MMA, self-defense techniques)
- Holding a partner down with intent to intimidate
When Faith’s husband was pinning her against the wall, forcing open her door, and throwing her cell phone at her, he was physically abusing her. Faith found out later that would have been enough to apply for a restraining order.
Emotional Violence
I always thought of emotional abuse as shouting and belittling, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg, says Doorways. Check out these emotionally abusive behaviors often hiding in plain sight:
- Ignoring a partner’s feelings
- Ridiculing or insulting men or women as a group
- Ridiculing or insulting valued beliefs, religion, race, heritage, or class
- Ridiculing or insulting partner’s emotional reponses
- Withholding approval, appreciation, or affection as punishment
- Continually criticizing, calling names, or shouting at partners
- Humiliating partners in private or public
- Refusing to socialize with people who are important to partner
- Taking car keys, cell phone, or other means of communication away
- Regularly threatening to leave or told to leave
- Not allowing access to basic needs (toiletries, medication, etc.)
- “Gaslighting” or “Crazy-Making”
- Abandoning someone in a dangerous place
- Threatening to hurt family members
- Punishing or depriving the children when angry
- Threatening to kidnap the children
- Abusing, torturing or killing pets
- Harassing partners about imagined affairs
- Manipulating partners with lies and contradictions
- Destroying furniture, punching holes in walls or breaking appliances
- Destroying belongings of partner
- Pointing a gun or a knife or other weapon at partner, children or pets, seemingly in play
Breaking Faith’s dishes, shouting, and having unrealistic expectations about the house chores were far more than just her husband having “a rough time of it.” It was emotional abuse. Faith recalls telling her husband he was hurting them, and he responded she was too sensitive. That, too, was abuse.
Sexual Violence
When I think sexual domestic violence I think rape or sex trafficking, yet these quieter manipulations below are violent in their own right. Even though Faith was not sexually abused, I’m including the list here because Doorways feels it’s vital to be aware.
- Birth control sabotage
- Guilting a partner into unwanted pregnancy or abortion
- Using a sexually derogatory name
- Forcing a partner to strip
- Depriving a partner of clothing
- Criticizing a partner for dressing provocatively
- Accusing a partner of promiscuity
- Forcing a partner to watch pornography, or the abusive partner having sex with others
- Subjecting the partner to unwanted touching
- Forcing a partner to participate in any form of unwanted sexual activity
- Biting, pinching or hurting a partner with objects during sex
Financial Violence
The conversation around financial violence is just beginning, and of all my domestic violence resources, Doorways was the only site to mention it. I had no idea this was even a thing.
- Having all bank accounts in the abuser’s name
- Controlling how, when, and where money is spent
- Assigning an allowance (often very small or unrealistic cost of living)
- Denying a partner the right to work outside the home or make any financial contribution to the family;
- Shaming partner into work when it’s not financially necessary
- Controlling all or most of the finances
- Misusing a partner’s name for financial reasons
- Having a partner sign documents without adequately obtaining consent, such as taxes, loan applications, immigration papers or other important documents
Looking back on it, Faith says she remembers her husband took out a credit card in her name and maxed it out trying to save their failing business. She dismissed it as making a sacrifice for the family. After all, wasn’t she part owner by marriage? She didn’t know this was abusive.
Now I’m going to let you in on a secret since you read this all the way to the end. The real, honest-to-goodness face of domestic violence? It’s mine. I’m Faith. Ten years ago, I didn’t know that what was happening was domestic violence. I didn’t understand the man I loved and who had done so many wonderful things for our family was becoming an abuser. I didn’t stop it until it got bad enough to hurt my kids. So please listen: if anything on these lists is happening to you, it’s important to call things what they are. It’s domestic violence. It doesn’t necessarily mean your abuser is a bad person, only that help is needed. Domestic violence gets worse, but you can stop it. Call 1-800-799-SAFE to get connected to your local resources. Beautiful soul, you deserve to be safe and to be really, truly, honestly loved. Have faith in that.
Pro-Tek™ is donating 2% of all online sales now through October to support its local domestic violence shelter. Visit www.ecdvc.org where you can learn more and make a direct donation.
Don’t let Faith’s story be your story. If you or someone you know might be experiencing abuse–even if you aren’t sure that’s what it is–make the call. Call 1-800-799-SAFE.
