Domestic Violence Beyond Romantic Relationships

What You’ll Learn

• Understanding Domestic Violence in Non-Romantic Relationships

  • Learn how domestic violence can occur in various types of relationships beyond romantic partnerships, including family, friendships, and caregiving situations.
  • Explore how abuse in these contexts—such as between parents and children, siblings, or within friendships—can be just as harmful and insidious as in intimate relationships.

• Types of Abuse Beyond Romantic Relationships

  • Discover the different forms of abuse in non-romantic settings, including physical, emotional, psychological, financial, and verbal abuse.
  • Understand how abuse in familial or social contexts may involve manipulation, control, or coercion, and how it can manifest in subtle or overt ways.

• Impact of Domestic Violence on Children and Adolescents

  • Learn about the unique impact of domestic violence on children and adolescents, including the trauma of witnessing abuse or being subjected to it themselves.
  • Understand how children can experience long-term emotional and behavioral consequences, including anxiety, depression, attachment issues, and difficulties in school or social settings.

• Abuse in Parent-Child Relationships

  • Explore the dynamics of abuse between parents and children, which may involve physical punishment, neglect, emotional manipulation, or controlling behaviors.
  • Learn how to recognize the signs of abuse in these relationships and the specific challenges faced by children in breaking free from an abusive parent or caregiver.

• Elder Abuse and Abuse in Caregiving Situations

  • Understand how elder abuse is a form of domestic violence that often occurs in caregiving contexts, where older adults may be physically, emotionally, or financially exploited.
  • Learn how to identify signs of elder abuse, including isolation, unexplained injuries, and sudden financial issues, and what support is available to seniors facing abuse.

• Abuse in Sibling Relationships

  • Discover how abuse can exist in sibling relationships, including bullying, physical violence, or emotional manipulation, especially when there is a power imbalance or unresolved family conflict.
  • Understand how abusive sibling dynamics can affect family functioning and individual well-being, particularly when left unaddressed.

• The Role of Power and Control in Non-Romantic Relationships

  • Learn how the same cycle of power and control seen in intimate partner violence can apply to family and other non-romantic relationships.
  • Explore how individuals use tactics such as intimidation, guilt, isolation, and threats to maintain dominance in family or social settings.

• Barriers to Seeking Help in Non-Romantic Domestic Violence Situations

  • Understand the unique barriers individuals face when trying to seek help in situations of domestic violence outside of romantic relationships, including fear of damaging family reputation, isolation, or lack of access to resources.
  • Explore how cultural or familial expectations may make it difficult for victims to speak out or seek assistance from outside sources.

• Legal Protections and Support for Victims Beyond Romantic Relationships

  • Learn about the legal rights and protections available to individuals experiencing domestic violence in non-romantic relationships, including laws regarding child abuse, elder abuse, and parental rights.
  • Understand the role of child protective services, elder care agencies, and domestic violence organizations in addressing and preventing abuse in non-romantic settings.

• The Role of Social Services in Supporting Victims

  • Discover the range of social services that are available to victims of domestic violence outside of romantic relationships, including counseling, advocacy, and shelter options.
  • Learn about the role of social workers, community organizations, and government agencies in helping victims and their families recover from the impact of abuse.