Resources in Nevada
What is Domestic Violence
Domestic violence generally is defined as a violent crime committed in
the context of an intimate relationship. However, domestic violence is no
longer just a family matter. It is a crime involving the use of power,
coercion and violence to control another. This crime is recognized by state
law and prosecutable by law enforcement.
Domestic violence is different from other random crimes because a
perpetrator and victim are not strangers. Instead they are intimate
partners, family members or parents of common children. This relationship,
therefore, binds a victim to his or her perpetrator. For example, the victim
may rely on the perpetrator for economic support or child support. Ongoing
domestic violence is characterized by a pattern of escalating abuse in which
one partner in the relationship controls the other through force,
deprivation and/or the threat of deprivation or violence.
Types of Domestic Violence
Abuse comes in many forms.
Spousal Abuse: This type of abuse generally occurs between a husband and
wife, girlfriend and boyfriend, or same sex couple. The dominant partner may
choose to exert his power by many means including physical, emotional,
verbal, spiritual, financial, homophobic-based, immigration based, or
threats of destructive acts.
Rape / Sexual Assault: This type of abuse typically occurs between a
husband and wife, girlfriend and boyfriend, or same sex couple. The abuse is
characterized by forced or pressured sexual acts, including rape.
Child Abuse: This type of abuse is typically perpetrated on a child by a
parent, grandparent, step-parent, or significant other of a parent. It can
include physical, emotional and verbal assaults against a child.
Elderly Abuse: This type of abuse is typically perpetrated on senior
citizens by their children, grandchildren or others living with or caring
for the victim. The abuse ranges from physical, emotional and verbal abuse
to financial and destructive threats.
Stalking / Cyber Stalking: Stalking is a crime of harassment in which a
victim is fearful for his or her own safety or life. Cyber-stalking is a new
phenomenon in stalking in which abusers can discover a victim’s Internet
activities by gaining access to the victim’s e-mail account. The stalker can
read the victim’s incoming and outgoing mail and send threatening or
harassing e-mail messages to the victim.
Who is Affected by
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence transcends all boundaries: age, gender, race,
ethnic, geographical, economic and sexual orientation. This crime is a
crime of power and control and anyone can find themselves subject to it.
Profile of a Domestic Violence Perpetrator
A
perpetrator of domestic violence is one who uses physical or
psychological threats to coerce his or her partner. This type of person
often has “two faces” or personalities.
One personality may be
an upstanding leader in the community and a charming, loving and good
provider, while the other may be denigrating, violent and threatening.
Characteristics of a Perpetrator of Domestic Violence
- Denies having any problems or creating any problems. Instead, he or she will blame the significant other for failures.
- Is very immature and self-centered.
- May have learned only one way to deal with stress.
- May also have the idea that it is okay to beat up on mate because mate needs or deserves discipline “a lesson,” etc.
- May avoid taking responsibility for own conduct by minimizing, denying, lying about or justifying abusive tactics.
- Is unable to express/accept feelings of dependence and vulnerability.
- Is highly jealous of mate’s time, affection, and attention.
- Is emotionally dependent.
- Doesn’t know how to form intimate relationships and is fearful of mate doing so.
- Fears abandonment—leading to extreme jealousy and suspicion.