Power and Control Wheel
How many segments make up the Power and Control Wheel?
8 segments
1. using intimidation
2. using emotional abuse
3. using isolation
4. minimizing, denying, and blaming
5. using children
6. using male privilege
7. using economic abuse
8. using coercion and threats.
What does CWC and CCPH stand for?
Center for Women & Community
Center for Counseling and Psychological Health
True or false: Perpetrators of emotional abuse often have low self-esteem.
True
Emily is a student at UMASS Amherst. Since she is having some trouble in her relationship, she decides to use CWC as a resource, since she lives in the Central area of campus. What resources does CWC provide that could help Emily with her situation?
CWC provides 24/7 help on their hotline; free counseling; free support groups for people of all gender identities that have experienced harm or abuse in a relationship. People are welcome to walk in M-F 9-4 to speak with a counselor – a person can simply say they would like to talk about their relationship that is confusing or troubling.
Is inadequate love or attention in a relationship considered emotional abuse, compared to verbal abuse, manipulation or controlling behavior?
Yes, emotional neglect is also considered abuse, because the perpetrator is causing their partner to feel worthless and inadequate.
True or False: Using children to relay messages is a power and control tactic that falls under the segment “Using Children.”
True
True or False: CWC offers a 24-hour hotline that helps with cases of sexual assault and rape.
True
High emotional intelligence, open mindedness, and empathy are characteristic risk factors of emotional abusers.
False
Jake and Amy have been in a relationship for 3 months. Amy has noticed that Jake sometimes displays aggressive behavior towards her that often puts her in a vulnerable state. Amy recently learned about Jake’s upbringing. Which of the following could be the best explanation for his emotional abuse?
A) Jake came from a loving and stable household.
B) Jake observed his Dad physically or emotionally abusing his Mom.
C) Jake’s parents are divorced, but they were always loving towards each other.
D) Jake observed his Dad physically or emotionally abusing his Mom AND was taught that it was okay to display aggression as a man.
Answer: Choice D
True or False: Emotional abuse only occurs in romantic relationships.
False. Emotional abuse can occur in any relationship, including friendships, relationships between children and parents, etc.
True or False: After exhibiting abusing behaviors, if the perpetrator tells their partner “You brought it upon yourself”, this best fits under the “Using Economic Abuse” Category.
False; it best fits under “Minimizing, Blaming, and Denying”
True or False: CCPH is located in the basement of Bartlett.
False. CCPH is located in the “Middlesex House” on the 1st floor (111 County Cir, Amherst, MA 01003).
Name two factors that may increase a person’s risk of becoming abusive.
Answers will vary…
A history of being abused or neglected as a child
Physical or mental illness (Depression, PTSD)
Family crisis or stress
Financial stress, unemployment or poverty
Social or extended family isolation
Alcohol, drugs or other substance abuse
Monica is a 20-year old who has just entered her first relationship in college. Her boyfriend, Zack is sweet to her and gifts her romantic items, occasionally. From time to time however, he forbids her from spending time with friends and wishes to know her every location, when they are not together. Monica has confronted Zack about his controlling behavior, but Zack says he only acts this way, because he “loves her so much.” What is Monica’s first step in this situation?
The first step would be to recognize the signs of emotional and psychological abuse. These include stalking and controlling behavior, and manipulation by justifying these actions as “love.”
True or False: Threatening to commit suicide to keep someone from breaking up with you, is considered emotional abuse.
True. This is both manipulating and threatening behavior, which characterizes emotional abuse.
A man consistently tells his wife that she is lucky to have him despite her weight gain and poor intelligence. His words belittle her and are damage her self-esteem. Which segment on the wheel is this man’s behavior most characteristic of?
Emotional Abuse
Name 2 general help resources offered at CWC.
Meet with a counselor
Join a support group
Request or attend a CWC workshop or event
Find Hampshire country resources
True or False? If the abuser is drunk or high when they are emotionally abusive, they are not at fault.
False. Abuse is still abuse, no matter the circumstances.
Michael and his girlfriend Jenna have recently been fighting often. They often yell at each other and disagree on a lot of situations. Is this considered emotional abuse?
It depends. If they are using hurtful language as a weapon of choice and causing each other to have low self-esteem and self-worth, for example, this could be emotional abuse. However, if they are fighting as many people in relationships sometimes do, the best way to handle the situation would be through strong communication and possibly counseling.
True or False: An emotionally abuse relationship typically begins as the “ the perfect romance.”
True. Typically, the abuse does not start right away and the male abuser can seem like prince charming. He is really adamant about pursuing an exclusive relationship, and may appear as the guy that will sweep you off your feet.
Please give 3 examples of behavior that might fall under “Using Coercion and Threats”.
Answers will vary but may include…
o Threaten to physical harm
o Threaten to leave the relationship
o Threaten to commit suicide
o Making him/her do illegal things
o Threaten to report to welfare
o Making him/her drop charges
Name 3 Spring Skills Workshops offered free-of-charge to students this semester at CCPH.
Answers will vary…
o STRESS GPS - GAINING PRACTICAL SKILLS
Mondays through Fridays, 3-4:00 p.m. in Middlesex House
February 4th - May 3rd (No workshops 2/28, 3/11-3/15, and 4/15)
o COPING SKILLS FOR EMOTIONAL WELLNESS
Tuesdays, 4-5:30 p.m. in Middlesex House
Session 1: February 12th, 19th, 26th; March 5th, 19th
Session 2: April 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
o MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION FOR ANXIETY
Mondays, 1-2:15pm in Middlesex House
March 25th, April 1st and 8th
o LOVE YOUR BODY/LOVE YOUR SELF
Thursdays in Middlesex House
Session 1: February 28th, March 7th and 21st 4:00-5:30p.m.
Session 2: March 28th, April 4th and 11th 2:30-3:45p.m.
What are possible explanations for emotional abuse? Hint: Think in terms of what may cause someone to become a perpetrator of emotional/psychological abuse, especially those related to childhood events.
Negative mental problems such as depression, low self-esteem, anger management/regulation issues, impulsive and irrational behavior often associated with heavy alcohol or drug use, anxious attachment in relationships, and PTSD from witnessing physical or psychological abuse as a child. Oftentimes, if the perpetrator’s father or mother behave abusively towards their partner, it is possible that he or she will also grow up to be an abuser.
Katarina and her boyfriend Dave have had many conversations about not seeing each other’s exes, other than at parties, since they have a lot of mutual friends. One day, Dave runs across his ex-girlfriend at the bank, and she asks him if he wants to go get coffee. Dave hesitates, but eventually agrees. He does not tell Jenna about the incidence. Is this cheating? (a form of emotional abuse).
There is room for debate here, but because the couple came to an understanding that they would not associate with their exes’s, other than a short, friendly conversation, morally it was not right for Dave to agree to have coffee with his ex. Although it may count as lying and possibly even some form of cheating, it would not count as emotional abuse because Dave is not trying to hurt Jenna through the impromptu meeting.
True or False: Most abusers are alcoholics.
False. The Truth About Abuse 2013, survey states that, most abusers are not alcoholics. Even though the abuser may use alcohol, it’s not the cause. Abuse is about power and control.