Power and control wheel

The wheel shows the common themes and experiences of victims who have lived in an abusive relationship. It includes examples of the range of tactics used by abusers, showing that abuse may or may not be physical violence.

This is the original Duluth Model, developed in early 80's by Ellen Pence and Michael Paymar - founded with the focus on male violence against women. The fundamentals of the wheel are still relevant now - other wheels have evolved from this and The Duluth Model gives people the opportunity to download different versions according to their need and use.

Power and control wheel adapted from the Duluth Model

Coercion and threats

Making and carrying out threats to do something to hurt the other person

Threatening to leave, to commit suicide, to report the other person to the authorities
Making the other person drop charges
Making the other person do illegal things

Intimidation

Making the other person afraid by using looks, actions, gestures

Smashing things
Destroying the other person's property
Abusing pets
Displaying weapons

Emotional abuse

Putting the other person down

Making the other person feel bad about themself
Calling names
Making the other person think they are crazy
Playing mind games
Humiliating the other person
Making them feel guilty

Isolation

Controlling what the other person does, who they see and talk to, what they read, where they go
Limiting their outside involvement
Using jealousy to justify actions

Minimising, denying and blaming

Making light of the abuse and not taking their concerns about it seriously
Saying the abuse didn't happen
Shifting responsibility for abusive behaviour
Saying the other person caused it

Using children

Making the other person feel guilty because of the children
Using the children to relay messages
Using visitation to harass the other person
Threatening to take the children away

Male privilege (if the abuser is male and the victim female)

Treating her like a servant
Making all the big decisions
Acting like the 'master of the castle'
Being the one to define men's and women's roles

Economic abuse

Preventing the other person from getting or keeping a job
Making them ask for money
Giving the other person an allowance
Taking their money
Not letting the other person know about or have access to family income