What is Intimate Partner Domestic Violence?
Intimate partner domestic violence is a pattern of controlling behavior used to maintain power in a relationship by one partner over the other. A perpetrator may use a range of abusive behaviors to control their partner. We use the Power & Control wheel to help identify these behaviors.
The Power & Control Wheel
The original Power and Control Wheel was developed by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Program. It has been translated into over 40 languages and resonates with survivors world-wide.
Our version of the Power and Control Wheel can help provide clarity about the many different tactics used to maintain control over a partner.
Multiple forms of abuse often happen at the same time and can be hard to identify, but they are all used to establish a pattern of intimidation and control within a relationship.
Power & Control Tactics Examples of domestic violence in relationships
Healthy Relationships Wheel
What makes a relationship healthy?
YWCA Spokane has provided a Healthy Relationship Wheel to help convey what a healthy relationship could include. One based on respect, trust, and nonviolence.
Comparing and contrasting the Healthy Relationship wheel with the Power & Control Wheel can help look at the changes needed for someone to move from being abusive to embracing a non-violent partnership.
For instance, instead of using coercion and threats, a partner resolves conflict or a disagreement based on negotiation and fairness.
