+ Identifying domestic violence
+ Basic Warning signs
+ How an abuser can discover your Internet activities
+ What to do if you suspect abuse?
- What is domestic violence? Ý
Using physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, harassment, or stalking to control the behavior of their partners is defined as domestic violence. Physical violence involves putting your hands on a person against their will, shoving, pushing, grabbing, pulling, or other uses of force. Regardless of the relationship between two people, using physical violence against someone is a crime.
- Identifying domestic violence Ý
Sometimes it's hard to recognize that you are a victim of domestic violence. Here is the checklist to help you define instances of abuse:
Below are some early warning signs to help identify whether someone is a victim of domestic violence.
- The most obvious signs of domestic violence will be repeated bruises, broken bones, physical attacks, or threats with weapons.
- Batterers often discourage their victims from seeking help. People who have difficulty making or keeping appointments may be trying to avoid letting their abusers know that they are seeking help.
- Batterers frequently insist on accompanying victims to appointments, even if they have no involvement in the case. During office visits or phone calls, a batterer may try to speak for the victim, in order to control the information the victim shares with you.
- Batterers harass, stalk, and keep tabs on their victims. If someone reports constant phone calls at work or home to keep track of their whereabouts, consider whether other warning signs of domestic violence are present.
-
Batterers try to isolate their
victims from emotional support systems or sources of help. Be sensitive
to persons who report that their partners do not allow them to see
relatives, friends, or neighbors. Also, be alert for persons who tell
you that their partners are excessively jealous of persons they see
outside of the home.
- Batterers also isolate their victims by sabotaging their ability to get and keep changing or losing jobs or "cannot" work because of their partners' disapproval or actions may be suffering from domestic violence.
- How an abuser can discover your Internet activities Ý
History/Cache file: If an abuser knows how to read your computer's history or cache file (automatically saved web pages and graphics), they may be able to see information you have viewed recently on the internet.
You may clear your history or empty your cache file in your browser's settings:
Pull down Edit menu, select Preferences. Click on Navigator on choose 'Clear History'. Click on Advanced, then select Cache. Click on "Clear Disk Cache".
On older versions of Netscape: Pull down Options menu. Select Network Options, Select Cache. Click on "Clear Disk Cache."
Internet ExplorerPull down Tools menu, select Internet Options. On General page, under Temporary Internet Files, click on "Delete Files". Under History click on "Clear History".
Pull down Members menu, select Preferences. Click on WWW icon. Then select Advanced. Purge Cache.
*This information may not completely hide your tracks. Many browser types have features that display recently visited sites. The safest way to find information on the Internet would be at a local library, a friend's house, or at work.
These are easy safety measures you can take to protect yourself if your abuser monitors your computer use.
No one deserves to be in an abusive relationship! If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, Chetna is here to help. Please call our Domestic Violence Helpline: 1.866.410.5565. The call is free and confidential.
CHETNA Helpline: 1.866.410.5565