The Many Faces of Control

Abuse isn't always physical. Long before a relationship turns violent, unhealthy patterns of control often begin to emerge. In the 1980s, the Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs developed what became known as the Power and Control Wheel to help explain those patterns.

Rather than focusing solely on physical or sexual violence, the wheel illustrates the many ways one partner may attempt to gain power over another through intimidation, manipulation, isolation, financial control, emotional abuse, and other coercive behaviors.

The wheel is traditionally divided into eight categories:

Using Intimidation

Creating fear through looks, actions, gestures, destruction of property, displaying weapons, harming pets, or other threatening behavior.

Using Emotional Abuse

Undermining a partner through insults, humiliation, criticism, name-calling, gaslighting, or making them feel guilty or worthless.

Using Isolation

Controlling where a partner goes, who they see, who they talk to, what they read, or limiting access to friends, family, work, or social activities.

Minimizing, Denying, and Blaming

Refusing to acknowledge harmful behavior, minimizing its impact, shifting responsibility to the victim, or claiming the victim caused the abuse.

Using Male Privilege

Reflecting traditional gender-based power dynamics, such as acting as the sole decision-maker, treating a partner as subordinate, or expecting rigid gender roles.

Using Economic Abuse

Controlling finances, preventing employment, withholding money, creating financial dependence, or interfering with a partner's ability to become financially independent.