What is Battering?
Battering is a pattern of behavior
used to establish power and control over another person through fear and
intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. Battering happens
when one person believes they are entitled to control another. Assault,
battering and domestic violence are crimes.
Definitions: Abuse of family
members can take many forms. Battering may include emotional abuse, economic
abuse, sexual abuse, using children, threats, using male privilege,
intimidation, isolation, and a variety of other behaviors used to maintain fear,
intimidation and power. In all cultures, the perpetrators are most commonly the
men of the family. Women are most commonly the victims of violence. Elder and
child abuse are also prevalent. Acts of domestic violence generally fall into
one or more of the following categories:
Physical Battering - The
abuser's physical attacks or aggressive behavior can range from bruising to
murder. It often begins with what is excused as trivial contacts which escalate
into more frequent and serious attacks.
Sexual Abuse - Physical attack
by the abuser is often accompanied by, or culminates in, sexual violence wherein
the woman is forced to have sexual intercourse with her abuser or take part in
unwanted sexual activity.
Psychological Battering -The abuser's
psychological or mental violence can include constant verbal abuse, harassment,
excessive possessiveness, isolating the woman from friends and family,
deprivation of physical and economic resources, and destruction of personal
property.
Battering escalates. It often begins with behaviors like
threats, name calling, violence in her presence (such as punching a fist through
a wall), and/or damage to objects or pets. It may escalate to restraining,
pushing, slapping, and/or pinching. The battering may include punching, kicking,
biting, sexual assault, tripping, throwing. Finally, it may become
life-threatening with serious behaviors such as choking, breaking bones, or the
use of weapons.....National Coalition Against domestic Violence
Domestic
violence is not limited to non-military families. It can occur
anywhere, anytime, anyplace. Domestic violence knows no
boundaries. You can be rich, poor, middle income. You can
be Caucasian, African American, Hispanic or of any ethnic group. If you find
yourself in this situation and you're ready to get out, contact the local area
Domestic Violence Shelter. They can provide information on safe
houses, restraining orders and a wealth of other concerns.