SAFE: Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive tactics that can include physical, psychological, sexual, economic, and emotional abuse, perpetrated by one person against an intimate partner, with the goal of establishing and maintaining power and control*.

Domestic violence occurs in all kinds of intimate relationships, including married couples, people who are dating, couples who live together, people with children in common, same-sex partners, people who were formerly in a relationship with the person abusing them, and teen dating relationships. Abusive behaviors are not symptoms that someone is angry or out of control.  An abuser makes a choice to exert power and control over his or her partner.  Abusive behaviors include physical, emotional, sexual, social, and financial abuse.

Right to be safe

Everyone has the right to be safe.  Remember, if you are being abused, IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.
No one has the right to hurt someone else.

*The Power and Control Wheel was developed by battered women in Duluth who had been abused by their male partners and were attending women's education groups sponsored by the women's shelter. The Wheel used in our curriculum is for men who have used violence against their female partners. While we recognize that there are women who use violence against men, and that there are men and women in same-sex relationships who use violence, this wheel is meant specifically to illustrate men's abusive behaviors toward women. The Equality Wheel was also developed for use with the same curriculum.