Power of Control Wheel- Domestic Abuse

The Power & Control diagram is a particularly helpful tool in understanding the overall pattern of abusive and violent behaviors, which are used by a batterer to establish and maintain control over their partner. Very often, one or more violent incidents are accompanied by an array of these other types of abuse.

They are less easily identified, yet firmly establish a pattern of intimidation and control in the relationship.

Power & Control Wheel

EMOTINAL ABUSE
Putting her down or making her feel bad about herself, calling her names, making her think she’s crazy, and mind games.

ECONOMIC ABUSE
Trying to keep her from getting or keeping a job, making her ask for money, giving her an allowance, or taking her money.

SEXUAL ABUSE
Making her do sexual things against her will, physically attacking the sexual parts of her body, or treating her like a sex object.

USING CHILDREN
Making her feel guilty about the children, using the children to give messages, using visitation as a way to harass her.

THREATS
Making and/or carrying out threats to do something to hurt her emotionally, threaten to take the children, commit suicide, or report her to welfare.

USING MALE PRIVILEGE
Treating her like a servant, making all the “big” decisions, acting like the “master of the castle”

INTIMIDATION
Putting her in fear by using looks, actions, gestures, loud voice, smashing things, destroying her property.

ISOLATION
Controlling what she does, who she sees and talk to, where she goes.