What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence occurs when one person intentionally causes physical or emotional harm to a partner in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, is an established pattern of coercive control used by one partner over the other. It is about establishing and maintaining power and control.
Domestic violence is not about anger and it is rarely an isolated incident. Most victims experience multiple forms of abuse and repeated acts of violence over time. This can include any form of sexual, physical, verbal/emotional, financial, and/or digital abuse. Domestic violence is a crime (Ohio Revised Code 2919.25).
Types of abuse may include:
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Any intentional, unwanted contact with your body by the abuser or an object within the abuser’s control.
This may include: slapping, hitting, punching, choking, threatening with a weapon, banging head into the wall, dragging through the house, burning with cigarettes, blocking an entrance or exit, pushing, tripping, and/or restraining.
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Any action that an abuser uses to persuade, force, or coerce their partner to engage in sexual activity.
Sexual abuse may include: rape, forced or coerced sex, forbidding or interfering with birth control, forcing distasteful sex acts on you, cheating, or accusing you of cheating, sending unwanted or unsolicited pictures, or forcing you to take or send unwanted photos.
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The use of finances or resources from one partner against the other.
This may include: taking your money, putting all bills in your name, selling or destroying your possessions or property, making you account for every dime you spend, forcing you to quit or lose jobs, and/or taking or disabling your car.
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The misuse of technology to bully, harass, stalk, or intimidate a partner.
Digital abuse may include: steals or insists on being given your password(s), forcing you to share your location, monitoring social media accounts, using smart technology to track their partner, or sending and/or airdropping unwanted/unsolicited photos.
If you, or someone you know, is in an unhealthy or abusive relationship call or text our 24-Hour Helpline: 216.391.4357 (HELP).
Or click here to chat with an advocate.
