The "Power and
Control Wheel," illustrates that domestic violence is a
cyclical pattern of
physical and/or
sexual violence by an abuser to exert power, establish control over, and
diminish the
independence of the victim. At the center of the wheel lies the cause of the
violence -- the
need for power and control. Violent acts or the threat of acts of violence
serve as the rim
of the wheel while varying types of behaviors, primarily
psychological/emotional
in nature, act as the spokes of the wheel to facilitate the
establishment of
power and control.
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Specifically the
abuser may use coercion and
threats to harm
a victim; intimidation through gestures or destruction of property;
emotional abuse
such as humiliation; isolation from family and friends; economic abuse;
use of children
as pawns in obtaining power and control; male privilege; or minimizing
the abuse,
denying that abuse occurred, and blaming the victim for the abuse, as means to
control the
victim. It is the use of violence that reinforces the ability of the abuser to
use
these various
other psychological and emotional behaviors to dominate the
victim.
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Added to the
complexity of the dynamics of domestic violence are the
special fears,
concerns, and
needs of the victims of such violence
The tactics used against Lee Frank, family, neighbors by the Reddish family and authorities including the District Attorney Office and Sheriff. Not one agency has investigated this case and has let the stalking continue.