Where does the violence begin?
Violence has many forms, but always the same purpose – to exercise power and control. Violence destroys a woman’s self-confidence, ultimately making her unable to act. He shouts. He threatens her – with looks or gestures. He talks her into believing that she is mentally ill and that he could have her institutionalised.Intimidation / threats Isolation He always wants to know where she is going, who she is seeing. He forbids her to keep in touch with her family and friends Money He delegates the household money and pocket money. If she earns money on her own, he decides how it is spent. Degradation – He makes jokes at her expense in front of guests. – If she does not want to be touched, this will not stop him. – If he wants sex and she doesn’t, he disregards her wishes. Using the children The children have to tell him what she is doing when he is not around. If the children are not performing well at school, he puts the blame on her. He threatens to take the children away.
