Physical abuse
Physical violence and the threat of such acts.
What is it?
Physical abuse is the act of or threat of violence.
This is what most people recognize DA to be all about, the typical ‘wife beater scenario,’ and I guess you could say that it was the first recognizable form of DA within an intimate relationship. Not all victims are subject to physical violence or the threat of it (fun fact, assault by legal definition tells us that it is not just the act of violence, but the threat of making a person believe they are at risk of violence. Meaning the threat itself is illegal too). Nonetheless, the act or threat are both horrifying and are used to instill fear in the victim. Here are some of the common acts we see.
What might it look like?
Hitting (this may be with body parts or weapons, objects or household items), kicking, slapping, pinching, pushing, scratching, cutting, stabbing, biting, restraining, burning, strangling, suffocating (fun fact, non-fatal strangulation/suffocation is now a criminal offense in its own right) and ultimately, some victims are murdered at the hands of their abuser.
The perpetrator may make actions to threaten violence or break/hit other things (including your property/belongings/possessions), they may drive a vehicle erratically, and they may ‘show’ or display weapons and make threats to kill. They may also speak of or show violence to others in front of you; this can be aimed at your friends/family/colleagues or even animals/pets. They may shout/scream and rant about their misfortunes, and all this behavior puts a victim in fear of violence.
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is an extreme form of assault and violence against females. It involves removing/partially removing/cutting or mutilating parts of a female's genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is a ‘tradition’ practiced around the world, including the UK, as a way of controlling sexuality/hygiene/social acceptance and an individual's perceived marriageability. This procedure is typically undertaken in young females and is often performed without anesthesia, without sterilized medical equipment, and without a professional. This procedure can often lead to infection, ongoing physical problems, and life-altering injuries and, of course, deep psychological traumas too.
Many perpetrators are clever with how they inflict violence and will seek to injure body parts that can be covered. Many assume a victim will have black eyes and broken noses, but actually, that’s rarely the case. There are some people who don’t believe their abuser has ever been physically violent, but violence doesn’t have to be extreme to be abuse.
The intention is to belittle, hurt, and frighten the victim so badly that they are too scared to ever leave; they may also be scared for the safety of those around them. Physical abuse can leave physical and psychological scars and trauma, in some cases even physical disabilities or life-changing injuries.