Power and Control Wheel

A Power and Control Wheel is a domestic violence education tool that illustrates interpersonal exploitation patterns and pathological relationship dynamics through interconnected abuse tactics used to establish and maintain power over an intimate partner.

• AKA: Duluth Model Wheel, Abuse Wheel, Domestic Violence Wheel, Control Tactics Wheel.
• Context:
  • It can typically display Eight Abuse Tactics radiating from central power and control hub.
  • It can typically include Physical Violence and sexual violence as outer enforcement ring.
  • It can typically feature Economic Abuse controlling financial resources.
  • It can typically illustrate Emotional Abuse through psychological manipulation.
  • It can typically demonstrate Isolation Tactics limiting social contact.
  • ...
  • It can often incorporate Male Privilege in gendered violence context.
  • It can often highlight Children as Tools for manipulation purpose.
  • It can often emphasize Minimizing and Denying of abusive behavior.
  • It can often show Intimidation Methods creating fear environment.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Basic Power and Control Wheel to being a Culturally-Adapted Power and Control Wheel, depending on its cultural specificity level.
  • It can range from being a Individual Power and Control Wheel to being an Institutional Power and Control Wheel, depending on its application context scope.
  • It can range from being a Static Power and Control Wheel to being an Interactive Power and Control Wheel, depending on its educational delivery format.
  • It can range from being a General Power and Control Wheel to being a Population-Specific Power and Control Wheel, depending on its target audience focus.
  • ...
  • It can facilitate Victim Recognition of abuse patterns.
  • It can guide Advocate Training in domestic violence field.
  • It can inform Legal Understanding of coercive control.
  • It can support Safety Planning by identifying risk factors.
  • It can enable Perpetrator Accountability through behavior documentation.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Original Power and Control Wheels, such as:
    • Duluth Model Power and Control Wheel by Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs.
    • Physical Violence Power and Control Wheel emphasizing bodily harm.
    • Sexual Violence Power and Control Wheel focusing on sexual coercion.
  • Adapted Power and Control Wheels, such as:
    • LGBTQ Power and Control Wheel for same-sex relationships.
    • Teen Dating Power and Control Wheel for adolescent relationships.
    • Elder Abuse Power and Control Wheel for elder exploitation.
  • Specialized Power and Control Wheels, such as:
    • Technology Power and Control Wheel addressing digital abuse.
    • Immigration Power and Control Wheel for immigrant victims.
    • Disability Power and Control Wheel for disabled individuals.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Equality Wheel, which illustrates healthy relationship dynamics without control tactic.
  • Communication Model, which teaches conflict resolution without power imbalance.
  • Boundary Framework, which establishes mutual respect without domination pattern.
  • Support Network Diagram, which shows resource connections without abuse focus.
• See: Interpersonal Exploitation Pattern, Pathological Relationship Dynamic, Duluth Model, Domestic Violence, Coercive Control, Intimate Partner Violence, Abuse Cycle, Safety Planning, Victim Advocacy, Perpetrator Intervention, Gender-Based Violence, Trauma-Informed Care.

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