Spousal abuse refers to violence or mistreatment that women or men experience at the hands of a marital, common-law or same-sex partner. Spousal abuse can happen at any time during a relationship, including while it is breaking down, or after it has ended.

There are several different forms of spousal abuse and a person may be subjected to more than one form.

Physical abuse may consist of just one incident or many. It includes using physical force in a way that injures someone or puts them at a risk of being injured including beating, hitting, shaking, pushing, choking, biting, burning, kicking or assaulting with a weapon. Other forms of physical abuse may include rough handling, confinement or any dangerous or harmful use of force or restraint.

Sexual abuse and exploitation includes all forms of sexual assault, sexual harassment or sexual exploitation. Forcing someone to participate in unwanted, unsafe or degrading sexual activity or using ridicule or other tactics to try to denigrate, control or limit their sexuality or reproductive choices is considered sexual abuse.

Emotional abuse includes verbal attacks such as yelling, screaming and name-calling. Using criticism, verbal threats, social isolation, intimidation or exploitation to dominate another person are other forms of emotional abuse. Criminal harassment or stalking may include threatening a person or their loved ones, damaging their possessions or harming their pets.

Economic or financial abuse includes stealing or defrauding a partner. Withholding money necessary to buy food or medical treatment, manipulating or exploiting a person for financial gain, denying access to financial resources or preventing them from working are forms of economic abuse.

Spiritual abuse includes using a person’s religious or spiritual beliefs to manipulate, dominate or control them. It can include preventing someone from engaging in spiritual or religious practices or ridiculing their beliefs.

Abusive partners may use a number of different tactics to try to exert power and control over their victim. Abuse is simply a misuse of power and a violation of trust. The abuse may happen once or it may occur in a repeated and escalating pattern over a period of months or years. The abuse may even change form over time.

by
Brian R. Smith
Author of, Losing Innocence
ISBN: 1-4241-0038-0
http://www.brianrsmith.net
also author of The Bastard’s Plaything