Definitions
Abuse is all about power and control.
Battering: “Battering” refers to physical assault, ranging from pushing to life- threatening behaviors. Abuse includes physical, sexual or emotional attacks. We work from the premise that abuse occurs on a continuum.
Abuse: Abuse is a behavior, which, regardless of one’s intentions, dominates or controls someone, or inhibits someone from making a free choice. Examples of abusive behavior include: verbal put-downs, name-calling, ignoring, withholding, stonewalling, lying, manipulating, raising one’s voice, commanding, and threats of punishment for your own purposes.
Violence: Violence is any action or behavior, which causes fear. It is violent to use fear as a tool to control another person’s behavior. Examples include: threatening to hit or hurt, sudden movements, yelling, breaking things, and menacing or intimidating looks, gestures, or actions.
Physical Violence: Physical Violence is any controlling behavior using physical contact. This is what most people call abuse. Examples include: pushing, restraining, grabbing, hitting, slapping, wrestling, unwanted sexual contact, hurting pets, and the use of weapons.
Domestic Violence: It is a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors that adults or adolescents use against their current or former intimate partners.
Welcome
We are here to help abused women and their children break the cycle of violence in their lives by offering safe, confidential shelter and services.
Contact
If you need assistance or would like to donate, please contact us by telephone:
St. Martha's Hall
(314) 533-1313 V/TTY
Safety-Warning: Communication over the Internet is NOT confidential and can be traced. Please call us if this is a concern.