domestic violence

Domestic Violence (abuse) is a pattern of behavior that one person uses to gain power and control over the other. These behaviors can include:

Isolation from friends and family
Emotional abuse and psychological abuse
Monitoring/Stalking
Controlling the finances (financial abuse)
Physical and sexual assault

The fundamental harm of abuse is a loss of autonomy. Autonomy means independence and freedom from external control. Everyone should be free to make their own choices in relationships.

Domestic violence affects all of us and can happen to anyone regardless of race, culture, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or economic status. Every culture has elements that condone domestic violence and elements that resist it. 

For more information, visit https://wscadv.org/