There are four types of domestic violence – physical, emotional, sexual and economic violence.
Physical violence is any physical harm used against the victim. For example, beating, kicking, slapping, hair pulling, choking, pushing, burning, biting, forcedly grabbing by hand or the use of a weapon. Physical violence may or may not result in an injury that requires medical attention.
Sexual violence involves the violation of the victim’s bodily integrity. It is any sexual harm, for example, rape or attempted rape, forced or violent intercourse, violent involvement in a sexual act, forced sex, prostitution, or sexual harassment against the will of the victim. It also includes behaviours which limit the victim’s reproductive rights such as preventing use of contractive methods and forcing or preventing an abortion.
Emotional violence is any verbal, emotional or psychological harm. For example, regular threats, insults, intimidation, menace with physical or sexual violence, threats to take away one’s children, miscalling and belittling, emotional blackmail, persecution and stalking (shadowing, waiting by the house or workplace, regular and unwanted calling or sending text messages or e-mailing), isolation (such as prohibiting the meeting of one’s friends and relatives).
Economic violence is any act aimed at subordinating the victim and making them financially dependent on the oppressor. To that end, the oppressor will use its superior financial situation as a weapon, for example, the concealment of income, dispossessing the income of the victim, striving to prevent the victim from having any income, or providing money only when the victim has met the abuser’s demand. Specific examples of economic violence include controlling the victim’s spending and controlling the family income, removing the victim’s health insurance card, preventing the partner from working or gaining an education etc.