Violence in Your Own Home

 Posted on December 12, 2017 in Domestic Violence

The recent allegations of sexual harassment or rape against many influential individuals have put the issues of harassment and abuse in the spotlight more than ever before. Important people such as President Donald Trump, Senator Al Franken, actors Kevin Spacey and Sylvester Stallone, and film producer Harvey Weinstein have been accused of forcing unwanted sexual contact onto victims. These allegations sparked a fury of media attention and have encouraged more victims of sexual assault to report the crime against them. Time Magazine even dedicated their “Person of the Year” title to “the silence breakers”: those women and men who came out with their own stories of violence, intimidation or harassment. Much of the attention regarding assault and violence has centered around inappropriate sexual encounters between acquaintances or coworkers. Sadly, many men and women who are victims of abuse or assault are suffering at the hands of their own spouse or romantic partner. This type of abuse is called domestic violence, and it is just as serious as any other type of abuse.

Warning Signs of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence, also called intimate partner violence or relationship abuse, is defined as a pattern of behaviors used by one person to maintain power and control over their romantic partner. Anyone can be a victim or a perpetrator of domestic violence. Such abuse does not discriminate based on age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Often, women are assumed to be the only victims of domestic violence, but this is not true. Men can also be victims of abuse at the hands of their spouse and other family members. Perpetrators of domestic violence might:

• Physically hurt their partners including pushing, slapping, kicking, pulling hair, punching, choking, or using a weapon against them;
• Destroy their partner’s property Use coercion or threats to intimidate their partner;
• Hurt family pets;
• Use insults or call their partner names;
• Manipulate their partners by telling lies or gaslighting;
• Purposely humiliate their partners;
• Isolate their partners by refusing to let them see or speak to friends and family;
• Control their partners access to shared income or not allow them access to their own money;
• Scare their partners with guns, knives or other weapons; and
• Force their partners to have sex or perform sexual acts against their will.

Seek Trusted Legal Help

If you are the victim of abuse perpetrated by your spouse or romantic partner, contact a compassionate Lombard family law attorney for assistance right away. Our team will help you explore your legal options while working with you to find resources for protecting yourself. Call 630-426-0196 and schedule a confidential consultation today.

Sources:

http://www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/abuse-defined/

http://time.com/time-person-of-the-year-2017-silence-breakers/