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Battering is a systematic
pattern of violent, controlling, coercive behaviors intended to
punish, abuse and ultimately control the thoughts, beliefs and
actions of the victim.
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What is Domestic Violence?
( Also referred to as Battering )
Battering is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and
control over another person through fear and intimidation, often
including the threat or use of violence. Battering happens when one
person believes they are entitled to control another. Assault,
battering and domestic violence are crimes.
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Definition: Abuse of family
members can take many forms. Battering may include emotional abuse,
economic abuse, sexual abuse, using children, threats, using male
privilege, intimidation, isolation, and a variety of other behaviors
used to maintain fear, intimidation and power. In all cultures, the
perpetrators are most commonly men of the family. Women are most
commonly the victims of violence. Elder and child abuse are also
prevalent. Acts of domestic violence generally fall into one or more
of the following categories:
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Sexual Abuse - Physical attacks by the abuser is often accompanied
by, or culminates in, sexual violence wherein the woman is forced to
have sexual intercourse with her abuser or take part in unwanted
sexual activity.
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Psychological Battering - The abuser's psychological or mental
violence can include constant verbal abuse, harassment, excessive
possessiveness, isolating the woman from friends and family,
deprivation of physical and economic resources and destruction of
personal property.
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Battering escalates. It often begins with behaviors like threats,
name calling, violence in her presence ( such as punching a fist
through a wall ), and/or damage to objects or pets. It may escalate
to restraining, pushing, slapping, and/or pinching.
The battering may include punching, kicking, biting, sexual
assault, tripping, throwing. Finally, it may become life threatening
with serious behaviors such as choking, breaking bones, or the use of weapons.
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