CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Issues
2. Understanding Alcohol Abuse
3. Understanding Violence Against Women
4. Alcohol and Domestic Violence
5. Alcohol, Sexual Assault, and Rape
6. Prevention and Early Intervention
7. Screening and Assessment
8. Diagnosis and Treatment
9. Legal and Ethical Issues

Supplements
Fact Sheets
Videos
Resources

Silence Hurts
Alcohol Abuse and Violence Against Women

The Power and Control Wheel

Not all men use all types of abuse at all times. If there is no intervention, however, an abusive man may inflict verbal, emotional, physical, as well as sexual abuse on a woman. The abuse may differ in dating relationships, but whatever method a man may use, it usually is linked to power and control. Alcohol may or may not be involved. When it is, the risk of violence increases.

Abuse Tactics in Domestic Violence

Types of abuse are shown in the Power and Control Wheel. Each spoke of the wheel shows ways that an abusive person may try to control or maintain power over his partner. When these tactics don't work, some people may resort to physical or sexual abuse.

Click on individual sections of the Wheel to see examples of abusive behavior.¹³

Physical abuse includes any of the following:

• Slapping, punching, kicking, spitting, pinching.
• Spanking, burning, choking, pushing.
• Scratching, restraining, grabbing, biting.
• Throwing objects at the victim or using or threatening to use a weapon of any kind (knife, gun, beer bottle, stick, ruler, belt, whip)
• Forcing the victim to take drugs or large amounts of alcohol to avoid further physical abuse.
• Preventing the victim from leaving the house.

Sexual abuse occurs when the victim's partner physically attacks sexual parts of her body (grabbing her breasts, pinching her buttocks, or unwanted touching of any kind) or forces the woman to perform any sexual act that she does not wish to do. Sexual abuse occurs when the victim's partner forces sex under the following conditions:

• The victim indicates "no" and her limits are not respected.
• The victim is sleeping.
• The victim is drunk or high or unable to say "no."
• The victim is afraid to say "no."

Not all intimate partner violence is physical or sexual. Abusers may use economic, emotional, or other forms of intimidation. Women may be subject to stalking, behavior that makes the victim afraid for her safety and which may lead to physical violence or even murder. Stalking often occurs after a woman leaves her abuser or has him removed from her home. Law enforcement officials and health professionals need to be alert to stalking behaviors, including:

• Following the intended victim or appearing at her home or place of business.
• Making harassing phone calls or sending unwanted letters, cards, or flowers.
• Vandalizing the victim's property.

Source:

Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, MN.

A printable version (PDF) is available. | Spanish Version
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