| General |
Domestic abuse occurs in approximately 30 to 40% of GLBT relationships, which is the same percentage of violence that occurs in straight relationships. It is a myth that same-sex couples don't batter each other, or if they do; they are just "fighting" or it is "mutual abuse".
Domestic abuse is always about power and control. One partner intentionally gains more and more power over his/ her partner. Tactics can include physical, emotional or verbal abuse, isolation, threats, intimidation, minimizing, denying, blaming, coercion, financial abuse, or using children or pets to control your behavior.
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1. JEALOUSY: An abuser might say that jealousy is a sign of love. Jealousy has nothing to do with love; it's a sign of possessiveness and lack of trust. In a healthy relationship, the partners trust each other unless one of them has legitimately done something to break that trust.
2. CONTROLLING BEHAVIOR: At first, the batterer might say this behavior is because they are concerned for your safety, a need for you to use time well or to make good decisions. Abusers might be angry if you are "late" coming back from the store or an appointment; you might be questioned closely about where you went, who you talked to. As this behavior gets worse, the abuser may not let you make personal decisions about the house, your clothing, church, work, privacy or finances. They may keep all the money; or may make you ask permission to leave the house or room.
3. QUICK INVOLVEMENT: Many domestic violence victims only knew their abuser for a few months before they were living together. The abuser may come on like a whirlwind, claiming "you're the only person I could ever talk to" and "I've never felt loved like this by anyone". Abusers are generally very charming at the beginning of the relationship. You might be pressured to commit in such a way that later you may feel very guilty if you want to slow down involvement or break up. If you are newly out, be careful; abusers often target those they know are new to the GLBT community because it is a time when you are vulnerable and may not know very many people in the community.
4. UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS: Abusive people might expect their partner to meet all their needs: the perfect partner, lover, and friend. They say things like "if you love me, I'm all you need and you're all I need". You are supposed to take care of everything for them; emotionally, physically, and sometimes economically.
5. ISOLATION: The abusive person tries to cut the partner off from all resources. If you have same-sex friends, you are a "whore", a "slut" or "cheating". If you are close to family, you're "tied to the apron strings". The abuser will accuse people who are supportive of causing trouble, and may restrict use of the phone. They might gradually isolate you from all of your friends. They may not let you use a car (or have one that is reliable), and may try to keep you from working or going to school. Some abusers might try to get you into legal trouble so that you are afraid to drive or go out.
6. BLAMES OTHERS FOR PROBLEMS: If your partner is chronically unemployed, someone is always doing them wrong or is out to get them. They may make mistakes and then blame you for upsetting them so that they can't concentrate on their work. They might tell you that you are at fault for almost anything that goes wrong. They might also tell you it is your fault that they are abusive and that you are the first they have treated this way.
7. BLAMES OTHERS FOR FEELINGS: Abusive people might tell you, "you made me mad" and "I can't help being angry". Although they actually makes the decision about how they think or feel, they might use feelings to manipulate you. Abusers see themselves as the "victim" in the relationship, and might not take responsibility for their own feelings or behaviors, Past, Present or Future.
8. HYPERSENSITIVITY: Abusers are easily insulted, and may take the slightest setback as a personal attack. They will rant and rave about the injustice of things that are really just a part of living, such as having to get up for work, getting a traffic ticket, or being asked to help with chores, maybe even Holidays, family, or friends.
9. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OR CHILDREN: This is a person who may punish Children/Animals brutally or may be insensitive to their pain or needs. They may expect children to be capable of things beyond their ability. They may tease children until they cry. They may teach children to tease, or be mean to other people. They may be very critical of other people's children or any children you bring into the relationship. They might abandon a child to hurt you after the break up. They may act very aggresive with Children. Your partner may threaten to prevent you from seeing children you have no biological rights to, or punish children to get even with you. About 60% of people who beat their partner also beat and/or abuse the children and/or the childrens things on some level.
10. "PLAYFUL" USE OF FORCE IN SEX: This kind of person may like to act out fantasies where the partner is helpless. They let you know that the idea of rape is exciting. They may show little concern about whether you wants to have sex, and use sulking or anger to manipulate you. They may start having sex with you while you are sleeping, or demand sex when you are ill or tired. They may want to "make up" by having sex after they have just been physically or verbally abusive to you. They may try to shame or embarrass you with sex, maybe even in front of others.
11. VERBAL ABUSE: In addition to saying things that are meant to be cruel, this can be seen when the abuser degrades or curses you, belittling any of your accomplishments. They may say accuse you of not being a "real" lesbian or gay man. If you aren't "out", they may threaten to "out" you to family members or your employer. The abuser may tell you that you are stupid and unable to function without them. Saying things like "What are you going to do without me?" They may wake you up to verbally abuse you, or not let you go to sleep. They may wake up any children in the house and try to upset or control you with/through the children.
12. RIGID SEX ROLES: Abusers expect the partner to play a rigid role; to serve them, and insists that you obey them in all things. The abuser sees you as unintelligent, inferior, responsible for menial tasks, and less than whole without the relationship. They will often tell you that no one else would want you or that you are nothing without them. They might remind you of everything they have done for you on a regular basis.
13. DR. JEKYLL AND MRS. HYDE: Many victims are confused by their abuser's sudden changes in mood, and may think it indicates a special mental problem. Abusers may be nice one minute, and explode the next. Explosiveness, Rage and moodiness can be typical of people who beat their partners. Many victims feel if their partner would just quit drinking or using drugs, the violence would stop. This is usually not the case. Abusive people continue the abuse, even after they stop using alcohol or drugs, unless they also seek help for their abusive behavior.
14. PAST BATTERING: These people may say they have hit a partner in the past, but the previous partner made them do it. You may hear from relatives or ex partners that the person has been abusive. A batterer will beat any person they are with if they are with that person long enough for violence to begin; situational circumstances do not make a person an abusive personality. They might try to lie and say you are the first one they have treated this way. Chances are they will have Abused before and after you if they have not gotten help.
15. THREATS OF VIOLENCE/INTIMIDATION: This could include any threat of physical force meant to control you: "I'll slap your mouth off", "I'll kill you", "I'll break your neck". Most people do not threaten their mates, but a batterer will say "everyone talks like that", or "it didn't mean anything".
16. BREAKING OR STRIKING OBJECTS: This behavior is used as a punishment (breaking loved possessions), but is used mostly to terrorize you into submission. The abuser may beat on the table with their fist or throw objects around. This is not only a sign of extreme emotional immaturity, but indicates great danger when someone thinks they have the "right" to punish or frighten their partner. They may even destroy the belongings of your loved ones or Children.
17. ANY FORCE DURING AN ARGUMENT: A batterer may hold you down, restrain you from leaving the room, push you, block you, or shove you. They may pin you to the wall, floor, bed saying, "You're going to listen to me!" "I didn't mean it" or "I cant live without you". They might try to threaten or Intimidate you to stay with them.
(adapted)
"Martin Luther King"
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