Deconstructing Domestic Abuse Includes Defining It (PAIP Assignment for 4/22 and 4/23)

The term abuse can be insidious because it can encompass so many things and occurs differently in so many contexts, so defining abuse can be difficult and confusing for all parties involved.

Domestic abuse is defined by the National Network to End Domestic Violence as "any act in which one individual repeatedly uses means to humiliate, depersonalize or control his or her intimate partner with the sole purpose of intimidating, coercing and controlling that other person. This can include physical, sexual or verbal assaults, embarrassment, insults, manipulation of children; verbal threats, or simply overpowering body language."

When processing the subject of domestic violence, the best place to start is by identifying it. There are 5 broad categories of abuse. In most abusive relationships, multiple forms are present. The most significant aspect of each type of abuse is fear.

In previous weeks we have discussed empathy and noted that empathy occurs when we can understand the feelings of another person. However, that may not occur when we feel that the other person is misunderstanding us. Not being able to be empathetic when being misunderstood is a common response when we are experiencing conflict. And, when we're not empathetic, we can easily slip into being abusive. That is why it is important to know what abuse is and be able to identify it. We can only control ourselves, and we must be keenly aware of when we need to control ourselves the most.

Please watch the following the video and answer the questions. This assignment will assist you with defining abuse and being more aware of the thoughts, actions, and feelings that sometimes lead to abusive situations.

Assignment (due: 4/25 before 8P):
1. Watch the William L. Sparks "The Power of Self-Awareness" video.
2. Answer questions on this Google Form.

Chris AC, MA, CDVP and SolEK MS, CFLE, CDVP

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