October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Published Oct. 9, 2008 By Mrs. Karen GreyEyes 319th Air Refueling Wing Family Advocacy Outreach Manager GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure or wound someone. Physical abuse: Hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair-pulling, biting, etc. Physical abuse also includes denying a partner medical care or forcing alcohol or drug use. Sexual abuse: Coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent. Sexual abuse includes, but is certainly not limited to: marital rape, attacks on sexual parts of the body, forcing sex after physical violence has occurred, or treating one in a sexually demeaning manner. Emotional abuse: Undermining an individual's sense of self-worth or self-esteem. This may include, but is not limited to: constant criticism, diminishing one's abilities, name-calling or damaging one's relationship with his or her children. Economic abuse: Making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding one's access to money, or forbidding one's attendance at school or employment. Psychological abuse: Causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner, children or partner's family or friends; destruction of pets and property; and forcing isolation from family, friends or school or work. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Domestic violence occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships and can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together or dating. Domestic violence not only affects those who are abused, but also has a substantial effect on family members, friends, co-workers, other witnesses and the community at large. Children, who grow up witnessing domestic violence, are among those seriously affected by this crime. Frequent exposure to violence in the home not only predisposes children to numerous social and physical problems, but also teaches them that violence is a normal way of life; therefore, increasing their risk of becoming society's next generation of victims and abusers. For More information contact your local Family Advocacy Program at 747-6806. Sources: National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Center for Victims of Crime, and WomensLaw.org.