NAHA Neighborhood Newsletter

The Center for Women and Families helps victims of intimate partner abuse or sexual violence to become survivors through supportive services, community education and cooperative partnerships that foster hope, promote self-sufficiency and rebuild lives. If you believe that you may be a victim of domestic violence The Center for Women and Families can help. Toll free 24-hour crisis line 1-877-803-7577 or visit www.thecenteronline.org . The local shelter can be reached by calling 812-944-6743.

Domestic Violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one person to gain and maintain power and control over another person in an intimate relationship.

  • Emotional Abuse – minimizing concerns, denying abuse and placing blame. Insincere apologies or promises to change. Using gifts or treats to cover up for abuse. Playing mind games. Name-calling. Degrading Remarks. Using words to instill fear. Yelling and/or swearing.
  • Using Physical Abuse – Hitting choking and/or burning. Threatening gestures. Forcing victim to abuse alcohol and /or other drugs. Using weapons and/or other objects.
  • Using privilege – Always claiming to be right. Giving commands. Using religion, culture, immigration status, disabilities, orientation and/or gender roles to impose authority.
  • Financial Abuse – Controlling all decisions involving money. Interfering with choices involving work and education. Creating economic dependency.
  • Sexual Abuse – Being forceful threatening or coercive. Physically attacking body parts. Preventing the use of birth control and/or safe sex practices.
  • Using Children – Using children to relay messages. Using visitation to threaten. Threatening to take children away. Using custody of children as leverage. Abusing or kidnapping children.
  • Using intimidation – Imposing fear by using looks and gestures. Destroying possessions. Threatening to call social service agencies and/or immigration authorities. Making threats involving children. Abusing pets. Creating tension with erratic or unpredictable reactions.
  • Using Isolation – Limiting contact with friends and/or family. Restricting access to transportation. Monitoring phone calls and text messages.