Domestic Violence (DV) and Intimate Partner Abuse Therapy

When we hear the term ‘domestic violence,’ we often have preconceived notions of who the typical victims of abusers are.

Maybe based on race, socioeconomic status, personality traits, gender, etc. 

But the truth is, domestic violence and intimate partner abuse can happen to anyone, anywhere. 

If you feel like you have to walk on eggshells around your partner, or if your partner belittles, threatens, or tries to control you, you may be in an abusive relationship. 

Abusive relationships can lead to low self-esteem, helplessness, worthlessness, and desperation.

Contrary to popular belief, domestic violence and abuse don’t have to involve physical violence. 

Physical violence is only one aspect of the power and control that batterers exert over their partners. 

Perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse may use intimidation, threats to harm pets or children, insults, or financial dependence to exert power and control over their partners to make them feel less-than. 

In a loving partnership, both partners have equal say and power is not a factor.

Perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse, also known as batterers, can be any gender or size. 

Many people may not realize it, but same-sex couples can experience domestic violence and women can perpetrate domestic violence against men. 

It doesn’t matter if the batterer is physically smaller than their partner, they can still be capable of instilling fear and humiliation in their partners in order to control them.