24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 904-284-0061
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another.
It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats and emotional/ psychological abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence varies dramatically.
Why does it matter?
Domestic Violence is prevalent in every community and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of control and dominance.
Let’s take a look at what domestic violence is.
Domestic Violence is often more than an isolated incident. It is a recurring cycle of violence that often increases in severity over time.
Domestic violence consists of 4 different types of situations. But this does not define the whole of an abusive relationship. These are the most frequently used examples of how Abusers maintain control.
Physical Abuse
Hitting
Kicking
Spitting
Choking
Shaking
Throwing Objects
Economic Abuse
Financial isolation by limiting access to money
Controlling financial decisions without partner’s consent
Emotional Abuse
Name Calling
Humiliation
Intimidation
Extreme Jealousy
Isolation from friends and family
Gas-lighting
Sexual Abuse
Forcing or coercing sexual acts through manipulation or threat
Resources
Other Domestic Violence Shelters:
Hubbard House- Duval- 904-354-3114
Lee Conlee House- Putnam- 386-325-3141
Betty Griffin Center- St. Johns- 904-284-1555
FLDVC (Florida Domestic Violence Collaborative) - 1-800-500-1119
NCADV (National Coalition against Domestic Violence) - 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)