ABUSERS HURT MEMBERS of their family in many different ways. Some abusers punch, choke, kick, shake, or burn their victims. Others may deprive their victims of sleep, food, or clothing in order to wear down their victims' physical and emotional strength. Many abusers tell their victims they are ugly, stupid, and worthless. Some abusers even force their victims to perform sexual acts against the victims' will.

Often, the violence that occurs within the home takes more than one form. Jessica Cameronchild in An Autobiography of Violence talks about her experience of abuse as a child:

Allowing a door to slam, dropping a utensil at dinner, being too slow, using the "wrong" tone of voice, failing to maintain eye contact, not standing up straight enough, and laughing too loudly were all likely to incur severe beatings. We [Jessica and...