What is Domestic Violence? A pattern of behaviors that may include emotional, verbal, financial, and sexual abuse in order to maintain power and control over the intimate partner ( wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend). Elements of fear is involved. Anybody can be in a abusive relationship. Domestic Violence can occur regardless of race, gender, age, and culture.  On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year. 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. In individual therapy, we will discuss safety, recognize sign of abuse, process past trauma, practice positive communication statements including " I " statements, how to say " no", ways to set healthy boundaries, how to build trust, accept resposbility and so on. 
​
Type of violence: 
Physical: hitting, punching, kicking, chocking, shoving, burning. 
Sexual: sexual acts or sexual assaults with or without weapon or objects, affairs.
Emotional: humiliation, critical comments,  controlling access to the family, name calling.
Financial: controlling money, hiding financial information.   

Common signs an abuser: 
1) Isolation 
2) Name calling
3) Threats of violence
4) History of abusive behavior
5) Cruelty of animals. 
6) Unrealistic expectations. 
7) Fast to get married
8) Pressure partner for sexual activity
9)Blaming others


​