A violence continuum describes the progression of abuse. Despite varying circumstances, one fact about domestic violence remains constant: Without intervention the violent behavior targeted and focused toward the victim may escalate. Remember: domestic violence is not caused by the victim’s behavior. Violence is a choice made by the abuser to control his partner. There is no excuse for domestic violence.
It is useful that victims, batterers, and witnesses of domestic violence are aware of the continuums that distinguish abuse: psychological, physical, sexual, and social/environmental. Though they have varying consequences, each form of abuse stems for the desire to dominate a partner or other household members.
* Joking and insults
* Ignoring or minimizing feelings
* Withholds approval and emotional support as punishment
* Yelling, name calling
* Repeated insults, degrading
* Targeted insults, or labeling
* Belittling and private humiliation
* Public humiliation
* Blaming and accusing
* Demands all attention
* Resentful of children or marriage
* Threats against children or marriage
* Degrading role as mate, lover, or partner
* Giving mixed signals
* Lack of cause and effect
* Questions sense of reality
* Depression
* Nervous breakdown
* Mental illness
* Complete isolation/withdrawn
* Suicide by victim
* Refusal to meet physical needs of dependents
* Push,shove
* Choke, beat
* Jerk, slap, bite, pinch
* Shake, bruising
* Withholding sex and affection
* Hit, punch, kick
* Targeted hitting
* Repeated hitting
* Use of objects as weapons
* Throwing victim
* Restraining while hitting or punching
* Abuse during pregnancy
* Sleep deprivation
* Lacerations, broken bones, internal injuries
* Use of weapons
* Disabling or disfiguring
* Murder
* Sexual jokes or demeaning gender remarks
* Jealousy, assumes you are sexual with others
* Unwanted touching
* Criticism of sexuality
* Name calling with sexual epithets
* Forced to look at/engage in pornography
* Demanding monogamy from victim despite
* Promiscuous behavior by batterer
* Coercive/demanding sex (use of threats)
* Humiliation
* Forceful sex (rape)
* Forced, uncomfortable sex
* Coercive/demanding sex after pregnancy or surgery
* Rape resulting in permanent injury
* Rape with imprisonment
* Rape with murder
* Uses gender "myths" and roles
* Alienates victim's family/friends
* Degrades culture, religion, nationality, profession, gender
* Tells victim they (abusers) are always in control
* Complete isolation
* Destroys or damages victim's property
* Child abuse/incest
* Demonstration of strength
* Destroys/maims family pet
* Controls major decisions
* Deprives victim of food, medicine, sleep
* Forced economic dependence
* Convinces victim they are hysterical,paranoid, psychotic, mentally ill,
* suicidal/homicidal
* Controls money/finances
* Denies access to work/gets them fired
* Threatens to hurt victim's extended family
* Suicide
* Eliminates support system
