03/04/2026
A gentle reminder about the Power & Control Wheel. The power and control wheel is an advocacy tool designed to show how behaviors outside of physical and sexual violence can still be used to abuse people. This is revolutionary for so many people.
Take a deep breath and take a look when you are ready.
One tactic of Power & Control is using privilege.
Using privilege can look like:
-- treating you like a servant
-- making all big decisions
-- defining and enforcing gender roles or duties
-- weaponizing systemic privilege like gender, race, class, citizenship, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status
-- always knowing what’s best for you
Using systemic privilege to control, threaten, or harm a partner is abusive behavior.
(This information has been adapted and expanded from the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, Duluth, Minnesota)
Need some help? hope@nwfamilylife.org northwestfamilylife.org 206-363-9601 or: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Image description: First slide: Image of the power and control wheel with the categories isolation, intimidation, emotional abuse, economic abuse, using privilege, using children, blame/denial/minimizing, and coercion and threats. Following slides: Dark blue/grey background with white and teal text from above.
