Domestic abuse (relationship violence) and sexual assault can take many forms. Some conflict in relationships is normal, however violence is not okay. Understanding and identifying the forms of relationship violence is the first step in removing yourself from these types of situations.
Domestic violence can take several forms: physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, and economic. It may involve sexual harassment or stalking. The Counseling and Testing Services have a list of definitions and self-help pages to get you started on seeking education and support on domestic violence.
Activities for Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2019:
October 3rd: Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resource Fair, from 11am to 1pm on the Library Mall. Hosted by UNT Survivor Advocate Office
October 9th: Help Yourself Campaign Table, from 10a to 3pm in front of Willis Library. Hosted by UNT Library Learning Services
October 22nd: Help Yourself Campaign Table, from 10a to 3pm in front of Willis Library. Hosted by UNT Library Learning Services
Domestic violence (also called intimate partner violence (IPV), domestic abuse or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.
Domestic violence does not discriminate. Anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender can be a victim – or perpetrator – of domestic violence. It can happen to people who are married, living together or who are dating. It affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.
Domestic violence includes behaviors that physically harm, arouse fear, prevent a partner from doing what they wish or force them to behave in ways they do not want. It includes the use of physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse and economic deprivation. Many of these different forms of domestic violence/abuse can be occurring at any one time within the same intimate relationship.
Here at The Hotline, we use the Power & Control Wheel* to describe most accurately what occurs in an abusive relationship.
Think of the wheel as a diagram of the tactics an abusive partner uses to keep their victim in the relationship. While the inside of the wheel is comprised of subtle, continual behaviors, the outer ring represents physical, visible violence. These are the abusive acts that are more overt and forceful, and often the intense acts that reinforce the regular use of other more subtle methods of abuse.
*Although this Power & Control Wheel uses she/her pronouns for the victim and assumes a male perpetrator, abuse can happen to people of any gender in any type of relationship.
Copyright by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project
202 East Superior Street, Duluth, MN, 55802
218-722-2781
It’s not always easy to tell at the beginning of a relationship if it will become abusive.
In fact, many abusive partners may seem absolutely perfect in the early stages of a relationship. Possessive and controlling behaviors don’t always appear overnight, but rather emerge and intensify as the relationship grows.
Domestic violence doesn’t look the same in every relationship because every relationship is different. But one thing most abusive relationships have in common is that the abusive partner does many different kinds of things to have more power and control over their partner.
Some of the signs of an abusive relationship include a partner who:
Explore the tabs below to learn some of the common warning signs of each type of abuse. Experiencing even one or two of these behaviors in a relationship is a red flag that abuse may be present. Remember, each type of abuse is serious, and no one deserves to experience abuse of any kind, for any reason. If you have concerns about what’s happening in your relationship, contact The Hotline. We’re here to listen and support you!
Responding to Domestic Violence by 
Engaging with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence by 
Domestic Violence and Protecting Children by 
Continuing the War Against Domestic Violence by 
Domestic Violence Advocacy by 
Hearing Young People Talk about Witnessing Domestic Violence by 
Framing Sexual and Domestic Violence Through Language by 
Domestic Violence and the Law by 
Counselling and Psychotherapy after Domestic Violence by 
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