Understanding Abuse

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is 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, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone (justice.gov).

The Power and Control Wheel, originally created by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project in Duluth, MN serves as a diagram of behaviors and tactics that are used by someone to gain and maintain power and control in an abusive relationship.

Giving a South Asian context to this dynamic, Maitri created this wheel to represent the cultural nuances that are unique to our culture.

Are you a victim of Abuse?

You are in an abusive relationship if your partner or anyone in your family:

If you experience any of the above behaviors or you are confused about abuse, talk to someone. Don’t be silent.

 Call 1-888-8MAITRI [1-888-862-4874]

Your call will be confidential.