What is Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence is not about a single fight, it is a pattern of coercive behavior and abuse used by one partner to gain control over the other. Behaviors may include:

Physical violence or abuse (or the threat of physical abuse)
Isolation
Intimidation
Control of household money, not allowing partner to work, denying access to information about finances
Denying access to medical or mental healthcare or medication
Forced sexual activity
Psychological abuse
Stalking or monitoring daily activities
Harming or threatening to harm their children

Domestic Violence is against the law. Every individual has the right to live without

physical, sexual, verbal,

mental or emotional abuse.

Unfortunately, Domestic Violence is

prevalent and can happen

to anyone regardless

of gender, age, race, religion or income level.

But it is never the victim’s fault.

The warning signs of domestic violence include jealousy, name-calling, possessiveness, and the abuser making you feel that you are the one causing their behavior. You may feel:

Confused that someone you love (or once loved) is hurting you
Ashamed or guilty or wonder if anyone will believe you
Worried about calling the police or telling your family, friends, or co-workers
Hopeless that things will ever change
Unworthy of a life without your abuser

Please know that you are not alone! If you find yourself wondering if your relationship is abusive or have questions about your rights and your safety, talk to a trusted adult or call Sweet Pea House Farms.

Education and awareness are the key to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and creating a brighter future for all. Join us in our mission to make education and awareness accessible to all!

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Power and Control Wheel

Understanding Domestic Violence:

The Power and Control Wheel

Domestic violence is not just about physical harm. It’s about one person using a pattern of behaviors to gain power and control over another.

The Power and Control Wheel helps us see the many ways abuse can happen in relationships.

Common Tactics of Abuse:

Intimidation – Using looks, gestures, or actions to create fear.

Emotional Abuse – Name-calling, insults, or making someone feel worthless.

Isolation – Cutting off contact with friends, family, or outside support.

Minimizing & Blaming – Denying abuse, making excuses, or shifting blame.

Using Children – Threatening to take the kids or using them to send messages.

Privilege & Control – Acting like the “boss,” making all the decisions.

Financial Control – Controlling money, not allowing a partner to work, or limiting access to resources.

Threats & Coercion – Threatening harm, leaving, suicide, or using authority to cause fear.

At the center of the wheel is Power and Control—the goal behind all these tactics.

Source: Power and Control Wheel, developed by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP), Duluth, MN. Learn more at theduluthmodel.org.

💜 A Note for Survivors

If you see you experiences any of these examples, know this: you are not alone, it is not your fault, and help is available. Healing and safety are possible, and there are people ready to walk alongside you.

🦋 You Are Not Alone 🦋

Healing is possible. We’re here to walk with you.
Sweet Pea House Farms stands beside survivors of domestic violence with compassion, resources, and hope. Whether you're seeking safety, support, or simply someone who understands.

You have found a place that believes in your worth.

📞 Need Help Right Now?

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788
Escape Button
For your safety, click the “Escape” button to leave this page instantly
Local Support
We can help connect you to shelters and resources for your next step. Reach out confidentially through text 417-543-6971 or email sweetpeahousefarms@gmail.com

💜 What Domestic Violence Really Looks Like

When most people hear the words domestic violence, they often picture physical abuse—hitting, pushing, or other visible harm.

While physical violence is real and devastating, it’s only one part of the picture.

Domestic violence is about power and control. It can take many forms, some of which leave no bruises but can be just as damaging.

Survivors often describe the emotional scars as lasting even longer than the physical ones.

🛑 Signs of Abuse Beyond the Bruises

Here are some of the ways abuse can show up in everyday life:

Emotional Abuse – Insults, humiliation, constant criticism, or making someone feel worthless.
Isolation – Cutting a partner off from friends, family, work, or community.
Financial Control – Taking money, refusing to share finances, or preventing a partner from working.
Using Children – Threatening to take the kids, using them to send messages, or making the victim feel guilty about parenting.
Intimidation & Threats – Destroying property, harming pets, or threatening violence.

All of these behaviors have one thing in common: the abuser’s goal is to maintain control.

🌱 Why This Matters

Recognizing the signs of abuse is the first step toward safety and healing. By understanding that domestic violence goes beyond physical harm,

we can break the silence and support survivors more fully.

At Sweet Pea House Farms, we believe every woman and child deserves a safe place to rebuild their lives.

You are not alone, and there is hope for a new beginning.

Your safety matters. Reaching out is a brave and powerful first step. 💜

We Need Your Support Today!

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Domestic violence information

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Did you know?

If you suspect someone close to you is experiencing
some form of domestic violence, you can:

More than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually. That equates to one every 3 seconds.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner in their lifetime.
1 in 2 female murder victims and 1 in 13 male murder victims are killed by their partners.
The presence of a gun in a domestic situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.
Partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes
Women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by a partner
Only 34% of people who are injured by a partner receive medical attention
Missouri has the third-highest rate of people who have experienced domestic violence in the United States.
5 types of Abuse - Physical (inflicting injury), Sexual (coercing sexual contact without consent), Psychological (instilling fear), Emotional (undermining victims' sense of worth), and Economic (making victim financially dependent)

Listen without judging and don’t rush to provide a solution. Remember the victim is not responsible for someone else’s abusive or violent behavior.
Believe them! Let them know you support them and ask what you can do to help.
Support them. Let them know you care about them and let them know it isn’t their fault. Offer to go with them to talk to someone.
Help them to make their own decisions and get the resources they need rather than doing it for them.
Encourage them to contact a local program. This is where they can talk to a trained advocate, find safe shelter, and get the resources they need to break the cycle.
Maintain their confidentiality. Do not share this information with anyone else without the specific permission of the victim of domestic violence
Understand that healing is a process that is different for each person. Express compassion, nonjudgmental support and acceptance.