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Common Forms of Domestic Violence

Many people believe that "family violence only counts if someone is hit",  but in reality, domestic violence can take many forms:

🔴 Physical Violence

• Pushing, slapping, hitting
• Pulling, restraining, preventing someone from leaving
• Using objects or force to cause injury

🔴 Emotional and Psychological Abuse

• Verbal insults, humiliation, damage to self‑esteem
• Threats and intimidation
• Creating fear or insecurity
• Emotional neglect, cold treatment, or social isolation
• Controlling a person’s actions, movements, or decisions

🔴 Coercive Control and Psychological Manipulation

• Monitoring phone calls, messages, or whereabouts
• Restricting contact with family or friends
• Using guilt, responsibility, or children as threats

🔴 Economic Abuse

• Controlling access to money or financial resources
• Preventing a partner from working or studying
• Forcing someone to hand over income or take on debt

Even without visible injuries, these behaviours are forms of violence.

Why Is It So Hard to Leave a Violent Relationship?

Many survivors recognise that a relationship is harmful but still feel unable to leave. Common reasons include:

• Fear that violence will escalate or retaliation will occur
• Concerns about children, finances, or housing
• Feelings of shame, self‑blame, or not being believed
• Repeated manipulation that erodes confidence and autonomy
• Hope that "things will change" or belief that "it is my fault"

These experiences do not reflect weakness — they are common outcomes of living in a violent relationship.

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