Is it Domestic Violence?

People in unhealthy relationships often have trouble naming the issues they face. Many victims of domestic violence (DV) don’t believe they’re experiencing DV unless it gets to the point of getting a black eye, and even then, they may not be comfortable with labeling the behavior because they believe they deserved it, they’ve accepted an apology, or they simply don’t realize it’s not normal or acceptable. But any pattern of abusive action by an intimate partner is an attempt at gaining control, and that is precisely the definition of domestic violence. If you’re still not sure if what you’re experiencing constitutes DV, here are some examples to consider:

• Physical Abuse: A partner who slaps, pushes, pinches, bites, pulls hair, throws things, kicks, burns or engages in other physical harm is committing DV. That can even include refusing to let you get necessary medical attention or forcing you to use drugs or alcohol.
• Sexual Abuse: Any coercive sexual contact is DV. That includes events before or after consensual sex, before or after experiencing physical aggression, and even demeaning you in a sexual way.
• Economic Abuse: If your partner controls the economic resources to which you are entitled, it is a form of DV. When you have no access to cash, credit cards, or even information about your family finances, or if your partner exerts exceptional financial pressure on you or exploits you financially, it is abuse.
• Technological Abuse: If your current or former intimate partner stalks, tracks, harasses, threatens, extorts, or otherwise harms you using their phone, camera, computer, or other technology, it is abuse.
• Emotional Abuse: When your intimate partner demeans you, undermines your self-worth, and diminishes you, it is a piece of the DV issue. That involves name calling, constantly criticizing, and generally denigrating you.
• Psychological Abuse: An intimate partner who intimidates and isolates you is abusing you. Whether they threaten to hurt themselves, you, your kids, your pets, or other family and friends, it is DV.

It’s Not You

If any of the signs of DV sound familiar, understand that DV is not your fault. All too often society—as well as victims themselves—blame the victim of violence for what is happening to them. Perpetrators are often excused for their behavior due to perceived infidelity of their victim, financial pressures, the influence of alcohol on behavior, or a victim’s response to the perpetrator’s actions and demands. But no matter the challenges of a perpetrator’s circumstances, DV is never okay, it is never justifiable, and it is never the fault of the victim. The onus is always, irrevocably, on the abuser.

Legal Representation

If you are experiencing domestic violence involving a current or former intimate partner, the experienced Miami domestic violence attorneys at The Law Office of Julia Kefalinos can help. Schedule a confidential consultation in our Miami office today.

Source:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39744826/