The Types of Spouse Abuse
Spousal abuse, a form of domestic violence, is the attempt by one partner to physically or psychologically dominate the other. It is an effort by the abuser to render the victim powerless. There are many types of spouse abuse, and these types can overlap in behaviors or be inflicted simultaneously by the aggressor.
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Emotional or Psychological
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Emotional or psychological spousal abuse involves the use of communication, both verbal and nonverbal, as a weapon to chip away at the victim's sense of self -- self-worth, self-confidence, independence. Verbal abuse includes yelling and screaming, blaming, shaming, demeaning and defamation. Nonverbal abuse includes intimidation, isolation, dominating and controlling behavior. This type of abuse may also include pressure and threats of physical harm. Over time, the victim may feel that the situation is unavoidable, that there is no way to separate from the relationship or environment and that the abuse is some how deserved.
Physical
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The most common type of abuse people associate with domestic violence is physical abuse. As the term describes, physical abuse involves corporal punishment (the intentional infliction of pain in order to modify behavior) and physical force (hitting or striking, grabbing, throwing objects, choking and the use of implements as weapons). When a spouse or partner is physically abused, the result is always some form of injury or endangerment. Physical abuse, assault and battery are crimes, and victims can seek help and protection with local law enforcement.
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Sexual
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Sexual abuse is common in abusive relationships. Sexual abuse is the forced participation in sexual activity, including anything that is unsolicited, dangerous or degrading. Forced sexual activity can occur even when it is done by a person with whom you normally have consensual sex, such as a spouse. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that 33 percent to 50 percent of abused women have also been raped by their spouse or partner at least once.
Economic or Financial
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In the effort to control a spouse, an abuser may turn to economic means. Economic and financial abuse includes controlling the household finances, withholding bank or credit cards from the victim, withholding money or giving only an allowance. Financially abusive spouses will exploit their victims' assets for their own gain, including stealing or taking their money. Economic/financial abusers may also try to prevent their partner from working or sabotage their employment by calling their workplace constantly.
Misconceptions
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It is a typical assumption that the victims of spousal abuse and domestic violence are mostly women. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has highlighted a number of peer-reviewed studies, as well as the National Family Violence Survey, that contradict this idea. The studies conclude that men and women suffer in equal numbers from domestic violence. Self-reported violence surveys from the CDC found that women report committing one-sided acts of violence twice as often as men do.
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