Home    Service & Programs    Domestic Violence    Elder Abuse    Sexual Assault    Volunteers    Thrift Stores    Events & News    A Cape Fear Area United Way Agency. CALL: (910)754-5726     Do You Need Help?   |    Can You Help?    |    Staff   |   Board Of Directors   |   Contact Us About Domestic Violence What is a Battered Woman? Is someone you know a battered woman? Are you? Many women resist thinking of themselves as battered, but if you can see how this term might apply to your situation, you may be one step closer to making change in your life possible. (Click Here To View the Power And Control Wheel) Physical Abuse A battered woman is someone who has been the target of abusive behavior by a man who is not a stranger to her. The type of abuse most often associated with the term "battered woman" is direct physical attack. This is also called domestic assault because the woman is physically attacked by someone she lives with, or has lived with at some time. You may feel that the violence in your home sets you apart. You may feel that such violence has only happened to you and that no one will believe you or understand what it is like. There are other kinds of physical abuse in which a woman is considered to be battered. You have been abused if he held you, tied you down, or locked you in a room to keep you from leaving; purposely locked you out of the house or left you in a dangerous place; refused to help you when you were sick or injured; or drove fast and recklessly when you were in the car with him so as to frighten you. Emotional Abuse Battered women are also psychologically and emotionally abused. When a man threatens to use physical force against you, whether or not he actually assaults you, this is a form of psychological battering. A threat in itself is an attack on you. This is especially true if he has hit you at least once before and you are afraid he will do it again. Threats of physical violence take away your sense of safety, security, and well-being, and play on your fear of being hurt physically. He may also threaten to hurt your children, friends, family, or pets if you do not go along with what he wants. He may actually do them harm or destroy your property. Threats and actions like these terrorize you and make you feel helpless. You may find yourself forced to go along with what he wants in order to protect yourself or others you care about. >> Continue On Page Two ©Copyright 2005 Hope Harbor Home, Inc.