The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (or CCADV) defines domestic violence as "a
a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that can include physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse or financial abuse. It is a pervasive, life-threatening crime that affects thousands of individuals in Connecticut regardless of age, gender, economic status, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or education.."
( see CCADV website at http://www.ctcadv.org under Information About Domestic Violence )
According to the CCADV, examples of abuse include:
a) physical abuse such as shoving and pushing, slapping and punching, scratching, biting, grabbing or spitting, throwing objects, destroying possessions, attacking or threatening to attack with a weapon, or any threats or actual attempts to kill you;
b) emotional abuse such as name-calling and mocking, yelling in the face or positioning his/her body in a menacing way, making humiliating remarks or gestures, telling you what to do and/or where you can and cannot go, putting you down in front of other people, preventing or making it difficult for you to see friends or relatives, cheating or being overly jealous, monitoring your phone calls, texts, car and computer use;
c) economic abuse such as denying you access to funds, making sure that major assets such as a house are not in your name, interfering with your work or not letting you work, demanding your paychecks, putting all bills in your name, or credit cards in your name without your consent or knowledge;
d) stalking and harassment which includes following you, making unwanted visits or sending you unwanted messages over the phone, computer, etc., checking up on you constantly, refusing to leave when asked;
e) sexual abuse which includes unwanted touching, rape, taking any kind of sexual pictures or film of you without your consent, denying you contraception or protection against sexually transmitted diseases, forcing or manipulating you into doing unwanted, painful or degrading acts during intercourse.
Other examples of these various forms of abuse can be found on the CCADV website. The CCADV website also lists the warning signs of an abusive relationship and national statistics which include that in 2009, thirty five (35%) percent of female murder victims were killed by an intimate partner.
The CCADV is a membership organization for 18 agencies located throughout the state to assist victims of domestic violence. Their services are confidential and available to all individuals. They provide safety planning, advocacy, information, referrals, counseling, support groups and emergency shelters.
( see CCADV website at http://www.ctcadv.org )
( see CCADV website at http://www.ctcadv.org )
If you would like more information and/or need help, call the CCADV's toll free domestic violence hotline at 888-774-2900.
