Resource: What is Abuse?

What is Abuse?
Abuse can have various definitions. Abuse is defined as "Any attempt to control another person or group of people by using physical, verbal,emotional, sexual, spiritual, or psychological tactics to instill fearor force another to act through coercion, manipulation, or intimidation."
Abuse involves physical attacks on another. The abuser attempts to control or intimidate another by hitting, slapping, grabbing, pushing, shoving, or any other physical contact that is designed to control their partner's behavior.
Abuse involves verbal, emotional, and psychological attacks on another. The abuser attempts to control or intimidate another by verbally attacking, criticizing, or humiliating another by their words, guilt, or use of shame to control their partner's behavior.
Abuse involves spiritual attacks on another. When an abuser uses spiritual issues, God, or sacred texts to control their partner's behavior they are using spirituality as a method of shame, not honor.
For the abuser abuse is about control. They fear that the spouse may leave so they try to control them. The abuser uses many techniques to control but it is terrorism because he/she wishes to humiliate and control the behavior of the partner or child. Fear and control are the key elements. The more that the abuser feels a loss of control, the more that they attempt to control others.

Pastor Ron Clark, D.Min.
Metro Church of Christ, Gresham


If you are being physically, emotionally, or verbally abused
and you live in the Portland or Vancouver area please call

Portland Women's Crisis line for immediate assistance
(1-888-235-5333 or 503-235-5333). An advocate will be on call 24 hours and will provide help in English, Spanish, or Russian.

You can also call also Raphael House crisis line: 503-222-6222
Human Solutions (shelter): 503-988-5200
Abuse Recovery Ministry: 503-846-9284 arms@integrityonline.com

If you have been physically or verbally abusive to someone,
or feel you have an anger problem, there is help for you. Make the call.

Ron Clark at Metro Church of Christ: 503-667-0773
Don Voeks, community chaplain: 503-666-7410