Is there a definition of abuse and domestic violence? At what point does behavior qualify as abuse?
A. Domestic violence includes any words or behavior used to gain power and control over a partner. It should not be confused with marital problems or conflicts. It does not discriminate as to race, age, culture, religion or socio-economic status. The different types of abuse are physical, verbal, mental, emotional, spiritual and sexual. Pushing, grabbing, poking, pinching, hitting, threatening harm, and even excessive tickling are examples of physical behaviors. Other examples of abuse include threats, playing mind games and crazy-making (making a victim think she is crazy), being forced to do something sexual that the victim does not want to do, or being kept from food, medicine or a doctor’s care. Being told you are stupid and incompetent is also abuse. These are just a very few examples of abuse.
