Hesperian Health Guides
Kinds of Violence
There are many different ways that someone may try to gain power over a woman. All of them are harmful.
Abuse often becomes more harmful over time
Imagine that the circle below is a wheel. Power and control are at the center of the wheel because they are the reasons behind all of the actions. Each section of the wheel is a behavior that a someone may use to control a woman. Violence is the rim of the wheel—what holds it together and gives it strength
Many women who are physically abused were abused in other ways in the same relationship. Physical abuse often begins after a period of verbal or emotional abuse, which the abuser feels is not successful in controlling the woman the way they want. All forms of abuse are wrong and should be taken seriously. Do not wait for the abuse to get worse. Find help as quickly as possible.
This page was updated:13 Nov 2023