Domestic violence is another form of abuse, report researchers at the National Institutes of Health. Domestic violence occurs when someone gets injured. It can affect children or other members in a household, but it usually is targeted toward a spouse or partner. In addition to the physical trauma, victims of domestic violence undergo emotional turmoil that manifests as depression and anxiety disorders. There typically are early warning signs that precede the domestic violence.
Control
When the perpetrator exhibits a need to control the other person, violence may ensue when he doesn't get his way. Therapists at Turning Point Recovery report that an early warning sign of domestic violence is when the offender tries to make all the decisions in the family and will not discuss alternatives. The violent partner may continuously ask the other partner where she is going and who she will be with.
Isolation
Domestic violence may be preceded by a period of isolation when the offender cuts off all communication with her spouse's family and friends. She may insist that her partner spend all his free time with her and drop out of or quit any outside activities. Perpetrators of domestic violence tend to be extremely jealous and will question their partner's every move, so that it becomes easier to avoid interactions with others to prevent angry outbursts.
Secrets
Perpetrators of domestic violence often are very secretive about their past relationships and talk disparagingly about previous partners. Male offenders have very little respect for women, which is obvious in their negative remarks. Many offenders were abused themselves by a parent and refuse to discuss the abuse. Offenders often have abused pets and animals in their pasts and are verbally abusive to other family members of the opposite sex, especially mothers and sisters.
Blame
People who treat their partners violently rarely accept responsibility for their actions. An early warning sign is refusing to be responsible for any of his failures or other misbehavior. He tends to blame others for all his problems. Domestic violence perpetrators have high expectations of their partners and expect them to meet all their needs and serve as the perfect partner.
Threats
Before the actual violence begins, victims often are threatened with violence to make them subservient. The abuser may curse and yell, throw and break things and punch walls. Abusers often begin by clenching their fists and mimicking punches. They may hold onto their partner to prevent him from leaving a room or walking away from a tirade.
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