Phone: 616-331-2748
Fax: 616-331-2965
womenctr@gvsu.edu

1201 Kirkhof Center
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401
Relationship Violence
Dating and Domestic Violence

Relationship violence occurs in all socio-economic, educational, and racial/ethnic backgrounds.  Relationship violence affects people of all ages, sexual orientations, religious beliefs and cultures.  No one is immune from an abusive relationship.  The issues of power and control are at the heart of intimate partner violence. In most abusive relationships, the batterer uses the following behaviors to gain power and control.  Any combination of these behaviors may be present, and the list is not exhaustive. 

Behaviors of an Abusive Partner

Intimidation: smashing things, abusing pets, destroying victim's property, displaying weapons

Anger/ Emotional Abuse: Putting the victim down, calling him or her names, making him or her think he or she's crazy, playing mind games, humiliating the victim, making him or her feel guilty

Isolation: Controlling what the victim does, who he or she sees and talks to, limiting outside involvement, using jealousy to justify actions 

Minimizing, Denying and Blaming: Making light of the abuse, saying the abuse didn't happen, shifting responsibility for abusive behavior, saying the victim caused the abusive behaviors

Threats: Making and/or carrying out threats to do something to harm the victim, threatening to leave the relationship, threatening to commit suicide

Sexual Coercion: Manipulating or making threats to get sex, getting the victim drugged or drunk to get sex

Help is available for individuals in abusive relationships. If you are concerned about your relationship or are wondering how to help a friend who is in an abusive relationship, please consider accessing any of the options or resources listed on our website. Please visit the following links for further information:

Options and Resources

GVSU Code

How To End An Abusive Relationship

  Last Modified Date: July 17, 2009
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