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How an abuser can discover your internet activities: if you worry that someone might see where you've been on the internet, or might read your email, please read this information.


To learn about cyberstalking - stalking and threats received through email, see this online safety brochure from Working to Halt Abuse Online.


This web site talks about violence.

What is violence?

There are many resources, and a lot of information online about violence. Some of this information is at this website.

Violence describes, or tells about, things that people do that hurt other people. Violence can hurt physically (your body) and emotionally (your feelings).

Physical abuse describes one person hurting another person by hitting, shoving, kicking, slapping, or doing other things to hurt someone's body.

Emotional abuse describes, or tells about, one person hurting another person by saying hurtful things, shouting, making a person afraid, or telling the person that she or he is stupid.

The legal definition (what the law says) of domestic violence is violence committed by one family or household member against another. (Definition from Lawyers.com).

Violence against women (PDF file), from Where women have no Doctor

Recognizing Domestic Violence outlines basic information about domestic violence, and ways to recognize abusers' behaviors.

What is domestic abuse?, a useful resource from Scottish Women's Aid, including a bill of rights for women.


Deaf Culture and Domestic Violence; powerpoint, of a talk on 3/2/09 by Gretchen Waech , available here;
Violence in the Lives of the Deaf or Hard of Hearing information to address the experiences and needs of individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing and have experienced abuse


getting help: resources for domestic violence assistance in Rhode Island, including information for victims of crime


Writings: understandings of experiences of violence

Many people have thought about, or had experiences of violent behavior. Read what they've said about their experiences here.


The Domestic Violence Handbook is a clearly written resource designed for women in Michigan, but it also provides useful information about domestic violence generally.

These are some of the examples domestic violence in the handbook:

Examples of domestic violence are:

  • emotional abuse through mind games, name-calling, or put-downs
  • isolation from family or friends
  • economic abuse by withholding money or being prevented from getting or holding a job
  • sexual assault
  • stalking
  • intimidation
  • Are there words in this list you don't understand? How can you learn more about what these words mean? Check out the definitions page in the Domestic Violence Handbook. Write your questions and see if someone you know can help you find an answer, or try a dictionary. If you have a suggestion to help explain these words, please let us know. Click here to send your suggestions.


    Safety Plans

    Leaving an abusive relationship is difficult. Sometimes a person can be in more danger after leaving a relationship than before leaving. Read about how to plan for your own safety if you decide to leave.

    Make a personal safety plan


    Abuse is wrong in any language - a poster and booklet for immigrant women who are suffering from abuse in a relationship or in a family.

    Abuse Information in 38 Languages Other than English

    power and control wheel for immigrant women.


    other resources


    How can I help my friend who is being hit by her boyfriend?? - suggestions for supporting a friend who is being abused.

    Dating Violence

    Hidden Victims: Children of Domestic Violence - information from Lifetime Television about the effects of violence on children and families

    What about us? Perspectives of the children of domestic violence

    Advocates for Abused and Battered Lesbians - resources for women trying to leave abusive relationships. There have been problems with this site -- the link will be reactivated when the site works again.

    Asian Task force against Domestic Violence, in Lowell, Massachusetts, tells about abuse issues, and connects to ESL classes in Lowell. Some of the information is translated into several Asian languages.

    When Love Hurts: a guide for girls on love, respect and abuse in relationships part of the Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre (DVIRC),Victoria, Australia.


    What do you think? Please send questions, comments, responses to janet.isserlis@gmail.com. To read other people's comments, please click here.


    postage stamp with domestic violence theme The US Post Office stamp to raise awareness of and funds for work to end domestic violence .

    other stamps


    go to writings about violence

    take a virtual tour of a domestic violence shelter

    resources for practitioners

    to Literacy Resources/RI

    February 18, 2020