What is Abuse?

People call abuse of women different things. Wife battering, spousal abuse, domestic violence and family violence are words that are sometimes used. Whatever it’s called, abuse of women is an abuse of power, and it’s wrong. It isn’t simply about having an anger problem or having an addiction, it’s about the abuser’s efforts to exert control over another person.

Abuse can take many forms. It can be physical, sexual, verbal, financial, social, emotional, or psychological.

Anyone can experience abuse. However, there are some possible risk factors:

• women under 25 with young children or women who are pregnant
• alcohol or drug abuse by either partner
• a severe history of trauma or cognitive impairments for either partner
• a history of violence toward former partners, a violent criminal record, or a history of threats to kill or use weapons
• women with few supports or resources – few family or friends, isolation or lack of financial resources