Common ASL Terminology

Abuse

Exercise of power and control over another person. Can take many forms–physical, emotional, sexual, financial, verbal, etc.

Resource: “Types of Abuse” – loveisrespect.org

Abuser or person/woman/man who has perpetrated violence

A person who uses abusive tactics and behaviors to exert power and control over another person with whom the abuser is in an intimate, dating or family relationship.

Resource: “Why Does He Do That?” by Lundy Bancroft

Advocate

A professional who provides support to people experiencing violence in identifying and accessing resources for safety, justice, and healing.

Resource: “What is a victim advocate?” – victimservices.org

Assault/Battery

The act of causing physical harm.

Resource: Related Minnesota State Statutes

Coercion

Force or the power to use force in gaining compliance.

Resources:

Related Minnesota Statue
“How to Recognize Coercive Control” – healthline.com

Consent

Occurs when one person voluntarily agrees to the proposal or desires of another.

Resource: “What consent does—and doesn’t—look like” – loveisrespect.org

Contempt

Violation of one or more terms of a protection order.

Resource: MN Court Guide – www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Domestic-Abuse-and-Harassment

Continuance

Rescheduling a court hearing or other event to a later date.

 
 

Crisis

A time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger.

Domestic Abuse No Contact Order

Issued by a court against a defendant in a criminal proceeding or a juvenile offender in a delinquency proceeding for domestic abuse, harrassment, stalking, or violations of protective orders.

Resource: Related Minnesota Statute

Domestic Violence

A pattern of behaviors used by one party to maintain power and control over another.

Resource: “What is domestic violence?” – ncadv.org

Grooming

Building a relationship, trust and emotional connection in order to manipulate, exploit, and/or abuse.

Resource: “How Domestic Abusers Groom & Isolate Their Victims” – psychologytoday.com

Harassment Restraining Order

In Minnesota, a civil order limiting contact between people or businesses.

Resource: MN Court Guide – www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Domestic-Abuse-and-Harassment

Homeless Youth

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Unaccompanied youth ages 12 and older (up to age 17, 21, or 24) who are without family support and who are living in shelters, on the streets, in cars or vacant buildings, or who are “coach surfing” or living in other unstable circumstances.

Resource: Minnesota’s Homeless Youth – mnhomeless.org

Intimidation

When one person uses threats to cause another person fear and/or coerce them into doing something. Examples include, but are not limited to: facial expressions, actions, gestures, tone of voice/sign, destroying property, abusing pets, displaying weapons.

Isolation

Using friends, family and social networks to establish and maintain power and control. Examples: limiting or controlling contact with family/friends, disparaging family/friends, managing clothing choices, limiting involvement in social networks or the workplace.

 

Order For Protection

In Minnesota, a civil order limiting contact between family, intimate partners, or household members.

Resource: MN Court Guide – www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Domestic-Abuse-and-Harassment

 
 

Polyvictimization

Having experienced multiple victimizations such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, bullying, and exposure to family violence.

Resource: polyvictimization.org

Rape

Unlawful penetrative sexual activity and often sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against the will of a person, or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent.

Resource: rainn.org

Relationship Violence

Relationship abuse is a ​pattern​ of ​abusive and coercive behaviors used to maintain power and control over a former or current intimate partner​.

 

Sexting

 

Sending sexually explicit photographs or messages via mobile phone.

Resource:“All About Sexting” – plannedparenthood.org

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is a form of sexual violence, and it includes rape (such as forced vaginal, anal or oral penetration or drug facilitated sexual assault), groping, child sexual abuse, or the torture of the person in a sexual manner.

Resources:

About Sexual Violence – rainn.org

Overview of Sexual Conduct Crimes in Minnesota

Stalking

Criminal activity consisting of the repeated following and harassing of another person.

Resource: Minnesota Attorney General – Guide for Victims of Stalking

Survivor

A person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks. Not always a preferred term by individuals who have experienced violence. If preference is not known, use “person/woman/man who has exeprienced violence.”

Resource: Partners for Prevention – Preferred Terminology

Strangulation

Both choking and strangulation refer to a restriction of air (asphyxiation) caused by something other than a disease process, but choking comes from inside the throat and strangulation comes from outside.

Resource: “Strangulation – the red flag of domestic violence” – strangulationtraininginstitute.com

Trauma-bonding

Traumatic bonding occurs as the result of ongoing cycles of abuse in which the intermittent reinforcement of reward and punishment creates powerful emotional bonds that are resistant to change.

Resource: “How to Recognize and Break Traumatic Bonds” – healthline.com

Trauma-informed

An approach to service provision that assumes that an individual is more likely than not to have a history of trauma. Recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role trauma may play in an individual’s life – including providers.

Resource: CDC – 6 Guiding Principles for A Trauma-Informed Approach

Victim

A person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action.

Resource: “What’s in a word? Victims on ‘victim’” – researchgate.net

Violence

The intentional use of physical force or ​power​, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.

Resource: “Violence- a glossary” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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