Partner violence

PartnerPartnerPerson you are in a relationship with.Read more violence is any form of violence between 2 people who have an emotional and/or sexual relationshipRelationshipWhen 2 people are in a relationship, they have a bond with each…Read more. Partner violencePartner violenceWhen somebody hurts, humiliates or neglects his or her partner or coerces his/her partner…Read more often shows that there is no equalityEqualityIdea that all people are equal and have to be treated as such. Whether…Read more between the partners.

Partner violence is forbidden by law.

Partner violence can happen in all classes and cultures of society.

Kinds of partner violence

There are four kinds of partner violence:

• psychological violence, for example: insults, humiliation, threats or ignoring your partner;
• physical violence, for example: hitting, slapping, treating roughly, forcing your partner to perform or undergo harmful acts (such as taking a bath that is too hot);
• sexual violenceSexual violenceCoercing someone with violence, usually physical, into having sex. For example, assaulting or raping…Read more, for example: forcing your partner to have sexSexAll acts that can sexually arouse you. Sex is more than sexual intercourse.…Read more (rapeRapeHaving sexual contact with penetration against someone's will. The penetration can happen with part…Read more) or forcing them to watch pornography;
• economic violence, for example: deciding what to do with your or your partner’s money against their will, providing insufficient household money, denying theim necessary material goods.

Solving partner violence

If a discussion threatens to become violent, go to a safe place, even for a short time. Once you are safe, you can think about what you need and what you can do.

It is hard to solve partner violence on your own. Partner violence is likely to happen more than once. Get in touch with professional services, like your general practitioner, the police or shelters for crisis situations. If you want, you can ask a person you trust to accompany you. You can also call the helpline for partner violence.

Professionals will listen to you without judging you. They will also respectRespectFeeling of appreciation for a person. If you respect another person, you think…Read more your privacy.

If you want to end the violence, you do not necessarily have to end your relationship or leave your partner. Whatever decision you make, always think about your own (and your children’s) safety and wellbeing.

If you feel guilty, ashamed, or less self-confident, do not blame yourself. These feelings are a common result of partner violence.

If you are an offender, you can find help to stop you from repeating partner violence in the future. Ask for professional help.