Understanding the Power & Control Wheel

At Women Above Power, we know that knowledge is a powerful first step toward healing and reclaiming your strength. For anyone who has experienced abuse, or is supporting someone who has, the Power & Control Wheel is a helpful resource to better understand how abuse shows up beyond physical harm.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline created this tool to show the different ways abusers use power and control in relationships. Abuse is rarely “just physical.” It can take many forms, such as:

• Emotional abuse – constant criticism, humiliation, or gaslighting.
• Isolation – cutting someone off from family, friends, or resources.
• Using children – guilt, manipulation, or threats around parenting.
• Financial abuse – limiting access to money, work, or resources.
• Intimidation and threats – actions or words that instill fear.

Seeing these patterns laid out can be eye-opening. Many survivors have shared that looking at the Wheel helped them put words to experiences they didn’t realize were abuse, it gave them clarity and validation.

👉 You can view the Power & Control Wheel here: https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/power-and-control/

We encourage you to take a gentle moment with this resource. Whether you recognize pieces of your own story or want to better support someone else, know that you are not alone.

At Women Above Power, our mission is to provide safe spaces, resources, and community so survivors can rise above these patterns and step into freedom. If you need immediate help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.

✨ Remember: abuse is never your fault. You deserve safety, dignity, and peace.