Project Blue Sky - Domestic Violence Information Homepage

What is woman abuse?

Woman abuse is any verbal threat or physical force used to create fear and control what a woman does.

With all abuse, the abuser has more power than the victim. The abuser is always the one responsible for his or her behaviour. Abusers often use alcohol as an excuse. But the real cause is their need to use violence to control another person.

What forms does woman abuse take?

A woman can be abused in different ways. Following are just some examples:

Physical abuse

Slapping or biting the woman, or pulling her hair
Destroying her property
Abusing her loved ones
"Caring" for her in an abusive way. This can include things like giving her too much medication or keeping her confined
Using a weapon or other objects to threaten, hurt or kill her

Psychological or emotional abuse

Threats

Threatening to take the children away from her

Threatening to put her in an institution

Threatening to tell friends, family and her employer that she is a lesbian

Threatening to commit suicide

Threatening to withdraw immigration sponsorship, or have her deported

Stalking or harassing her

Control

Controlling her time, what she does, how she dresses and wears her hair

Putting limits on who she can visit or talk to on the phone

Keeping her away from friends and relatives. This is also called "isolation"

Not respecting her privacy

Denying sex, affection or personal care

Verbal abuse

Putting her down and calling her names all the time
Describing her as stupid, crazy or irrational
Accusing her of cheating
Attacking her self-esteem in other ways

Sexual abuse

Touching or acting sexual in any way that she doesn't want
Forcing or pressuring her into sexual acts
Forcing her to be a prostitute
Not letting her have information and education about sexuality
Forcing her to get pregnant, have an abortion, or have an operation so she
can't have children
Infecting her with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases

Neglect and isolation

Not letting a woman see a doctor or dentist
Taking away TTY, hearing aids or a guide dog
Locking a woman in the house without a phone
Not allowing her to take courses in ESL (English as a Second Language)

Financial abuse or exploitation

Controlling how she spends money, where she works and what property she buys
Spending all family income including her money or savings
Using credit cards without her permission; destroying her credit rating
Forcing her to turn over her benefit payments to the abuser

Spiritual abuse

Putting down or attacking a woman's spiritual beliefs
Not allowing her to attend the church, synagogue or temple of her choice
Forcing her to join or stay in a cult

Reference: Education Wife Assessment FAQs Sheet