Signs of Domestic Violence in College

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Recognizing Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a broad term which can refer to the actions, or inactions, of another. Although it is not always easy to recognize, there are generally signs of behavior which may be, or result in, domestic violence. Levels of violence can escalate over time – and often do. Unfortunately, not all of the early signs of violence may seem that harmful in the beginning, but can grow in intensity as the cycle of violence continues – resulting in increasingly severe injuries or death.

Common Signs of Domestic Violence

Some signs of domestic violence for students might include someone who repeatedly:

  • Attacks you with a weapon or thrown objects;
  • Attempts to keep you from family, friends, work or social groups/interests;
  • Belittles you;
  • Breaks promises to you;
  • Causes, or attempts to cause, pain or injury to you;
  • Injures or threatens to injure the family pet, your children or other family members;
  • Insults or puts you down – in private and in front of others;
  • Intimidates you;
  • Lies to you;
  • Punches, kicks, shakes, slaps or restrains you;
  • Rapes you;
  • Shows extreme jealousy towards you;
  • Threatens you in any way;
  • Tries to control you (telling you how to dress, where to go, what to eat, what to do, etc.);
  • Verbally or physically forces you to give them all of your attention;
  • Violates your privacy;
  • Withholds love and affection in order to get power over you;

Different Forms of Domestic Violence

As this list shows, domestic violence can occur through physical violence, sexual abuse; verbal, emotional or psychological abuse, economic abuse and more. Here are some specific acts in these categories which could be construed as domestic violence:

Physical Violence:

  • Blocking doors
  • Grabbing
  • Hitting
  • Intimidating
  • Kicking
  • Punching
  • Pushing
  • Restraining
  • Shoving
  • Slapping
  • Throwing objects
  • Using weapons

Sexual Abuse:

  • Attacking sexual parts of the body
  • Forcing sex or sexual activities
  • Pressuring someone to have sex
  • Raping

Verbal, Emotional and Psychological Abuse:

  • Blaming abuse on the victim
  • Coercing
  • Controlling actions
  • Demoralizing
  • Denigrating
  • Humiliating
  • Interrogating victim and children
  • Isolating family or friends
  • Name calling
  • Screaming
  • Threatening to harm or kill
  • Undermining self-worth and self-esteem
  • Yelling

Economic Abuse:

  • Maintaining control over finances
  • Making the victim financially dependent
  • Refusing to allow victim to go to work
  • Withholding access to money, bank accounts or financial statements

Understanding Abusive Personalities

For more details about an abusive personality, see our Signs of Abuse page.

About 

Charles Ullman & Associates provides you respected, experienced and knowledgeable divorce and family law attorneys. You can trust us to help you through the legal process efficiently and effectively so you can transition to the next phase of your life. Our community involvement reaches beyond charitable support of important causes. We launched our own movement in Fraternities4Family and provide scholarships to able students in need.