POWER &

930 N Monroe, Spokane, WA 99201

Domestic Violence 24hr helpline:
509-326-2255 | ywcaspokane.org
CONTROL
Adapted from original wheel by Domestic Abuse Intervention Project: theduluthmodel.org

se r ves Domestic Violence is a pattern of

all, proudly. controlling behavior used to maintain
power in a relationship by one partner
over the other. While women are
pon a
ga i n st t h e m PHY disproportionately victims, men are
aw
ea SIC
us
e AL also victim of domestic violence. While
t o & each case is unique, abusers use a
ng SE range of abusive behavior to control
SPIRI

e ni BUS
E their patterns including physical,
t

emotional, psychological, sexual,

XU
ea

TUAL

A
hr

financial, and spiritual abuse.

AL
RAL
rt

EC
ON
go

Often, it is difficult to identify various

ABUS

O TI

VIO
TU

AB NO
sin

A
R S forms of abuse, particularly when they
CUL

US MIC IG U
e, u

M TAT are indirect or not as obvious as

LEN
E

E
IM S physical and/or sexual violence. Use
r o w i n g h e r d o w n , ra p

this wheel to learn about the main

CE
forms of domestic violence.
DOMINANCE COERCION

P u s hi n g , s h ov i n
POWER & ATS
AND THRE CULTURAL ABUSE
CONTROL Acceptance of in-law abuse (physical,
emotional, and financial) . Use cultural
norms as a tool to limit physical
& INT
REN CTION IMI movement, justify beating, or demand
L D DAT subservience . Limit role of woman to
g, th

I
CH RODU
G,

IO N
g, h
IN

“wife” and “mother” and prevent her from

R P
E
IN NY
in

working . Prevent partner from possibly

i
EM ABU
AM DE

ttin
ea t

remarrying by accusations of adultery to

G

OT SE
BL NG,
,b

impact her honor and/or chastity

ISOLATION

IO

,s
g

ZI

NA
n

la
MI
iti

USING IMMIGRATION STATUS

pp
L
NI
,b

Threaten deportation of her and/or her

ng
MI
g

n ,c
pi ho children, report to INS, not fill out their
rip ki
paperwork to file for citizenship/
,t ng
permanent status . Intentionally withdraw
g ,p
bin ab ing
ull
, gr h a i r, paperwork once it’s been filed to
punching, kicking
jeopardize legal status . Not allow partner
to learn English . Isolation from anyone
that speaks their language

ISOLATION COERCION & THREATS

DOMINANCE Control what they do or who they see and Make and/or carry out threats to do
Abuse of privilege hierarchy . Treat them talk to . Control what they read or where something to harm . Threaten to leave
like a servant . Make all the big decisions . they go . Limit outside involvement . Use or to commit suicide . Make partner drop
Act like the “master of the castle” . Be the jealousy to justify actions charges or do illegal things . Threats to
only one to define partner roles out their partner
MINIMIZING, DENYING, BLAMING
ECONOMIC ABUSE Make light of the abuse and not take INTIMIDATION
Prevent them from getting/keeping a job . concerns seriously . Say the abuse didn’t Make partner afraid through looks,
Make them ask for money . Blame for any happen . Shift responsibility for abusive actions, gesturers . Smash things .
financial gaps. Take their money . Limit or behavior . Say they caused it Destroy property . Abuse pets .
remove access to family income Display weapons
CHILDREN & REPRODUCTION
SPIRITUAL ABUSE Make them feel guilty about the children . Use EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Manipulate religious texts to demand the children to relay messages . Use visitation Put them down . Make them feel bad
obedience, justify beating, or limit physical to harass . Threaten to take the children away about themselves or feel crazy . Name
movement . Coerce partner to have sex by . Sabotage birth control . Force pregnancies calling . Play mind games . Humiliation .
citing it is a God-given right to impact work or to limit freedom Make partner feel guilty