Power and Control is the Objective

The following are techniques used by abusers to gain power and control over a victim. Please review these because many woman mistakenly think that abuse is just physical or that an abuser gains control through just threats. My batterer use guilt and crying to get me to do things that I did not want to do. When those techniques were no longer effective he moved on to using threats and intimidation. When those techniques became less effective he started with the physical abuse, pushing, pinching, squeezing me into it hurt and kissing me so hard that it would leave marks.

Emotional abuse
Often it begins with verbal abuse, name calling, constantly being put down, making the victim feel like she is crazy. A technique that makes her question herself.

Economic abuse
Controlling victim's money, stopping her from working, spending her money, ruining her credit. A techniques that makes her financially dependent on others.

Physical abuse
Hitting, punching, smacking, pinching, chocking, pinching, biting, pushing, shoving, grabbing, pulling hair, pinning down, inappropriate physical contact. A technique used to overpower physically.

Sexual abuse
Even in a relationship a women does not have to perform any acts when she does not want to, forcing her to do so is Rape! Sexual abuse also includes grapping a women's body parts inappriopriately. A technique to strip a woman of control of her body.

Using Children/ Family/ Friends
Spreading messages through people, spreading rumours, destroying a victim's reputation among her family, friends and peers. With children using visitation to harass. A technique used to isolate her from others.

Threats
Evoking fear through words, threating victim, victim's friends/family, or themself to get her to do something that she does not want to do but he wants her to do. Threatening suicide, murder, etc. A technique used to evoke fear.

Male privilege
Telling a woman she is inferior, treating her like a servant, making her feel like she is beneath him. A technique to make victim feel powerless.

Intimidation
Using body language in a threatening way, screaming and yelling, backing victim into a corner, making eye contact, strong facial expressions, destroying property, smashing things, slamming doors, etc. A technique used to strip away a woman's control and power.

Isolation
Controlling who a victim can have contact with, keeping her away from friends, family, peers, not letting her leave the house unattended. A technique used to make it harder for her to escape the relationship.




Based on the "Power and Control Wheel"
Developed by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project202 East Superior Street DuluthMinnesota 55802 USA1-218-722-2781