Physical abuse may begin in a physically nonviolent
way; that is, with neglect, which can include not allowing her access to basic needs (food, shelter, hygiene items); not allowing
her to sleep; or withholding physical intimacy as a way to control her. When the abuse moves into overt violence, he may begin
with assaults such as painful pinching or squeezing. As the abuser escalates, he becomes more violent and his violence becomes
targeted; that is, directed to part of the body, such as the torso, where the injuries are less likely to show. When the abuser
believes he will not be held accountable for his behaviors, he may inflict visible injuries. The following is a list of physically
abusive behaviors:
·
Pinching and/or squeezing
in a painful way
·
Pushing, shoving or restraining
·
Jerking, pulling, shaking
or hair pulling
·
Slapping or biting
·
Targeted hitting, kicking,
etc. so that injuries do not show. The abusers actions here are evidence that he is not out of control when he batters. Instead
he is using violence to control and exert power over the victim
·
Strangling the victim
·
Throwing objects at the
victim
·
Abuses the children sexually,
physically, and/or emotionally
·
Sustained series of hitting
or kicking blows, visible injuries
·
Physical abuse that requires
medical treatment
·
Abuser deprives the victim
of sleep, food, medicine, other essentials
·
Throwing the victim
·
Causing broken bones and/or
internal injuries
·
Causing miscarriage or injuries
that require a therapeutic abortion
·
Using objects at hand, such
as household utensils, as weapons
·
Denying the victim medical
treatment
·
Using weapons such as a
gun or knife
·
Causing permanently disabling
and/or disfiguring injuries
·
Murder
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