Or, they may comply in hopes that the sexual abuse will end quickly. Attacks may be made against pets or property. For example, the perpetrator may hurt or kill the victim's pet in front of her or smash favorite objects, such as pictures or china. Emotional abuse may consist of repeated verbal attacks or humiliation, with the perpetrator often emphasizing the victim's vulnerabilities such as parenting skills or religious beliefs. Isolation is another control tactic.
Perpetrators often isolate their victim from family and friends to conceal the abuse.
Abusers may also use children to maintain control of the victim, either by directly abusing them or threatening to use physical force against them. They may also thwart the victims' attempts to become financially self-sufficient. If the victim leaves the relationship, the perpetrator may continue to use economic pressure to force her to return to him. 7 Causes of domestic violence Domestic violence is behavior learned through observation and reinforcement. It is not caused by genetics or illness.