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Table 2 Dimensions and items of the Composite Abuse Scale

From: The sensitivity and specificity of four questions (HARK) to identify intimate partner violence: a diagnostic accuracy study in general practice

Severe combined abuse

Kept me from medical care

 

Used a knife or gun or other weapon

 

Locked me in the bedroom

 

Put foreign objects in my vagina

 

Refused to let me work outside the home

 

Raped me

 

Tried to rape me

 

Took my wallet and left me stranded

Emotional abuse

Told me that I was crazy

 

Tried to convince family, friends and children that I was crazy

 

Became upset if dinner/housework wasn't done when they thought it should be

 

Told me that I wasn't good enough

 

Tried to keep me from seeing or talking to my family

 

Told me that I was stupid

 

Tried to turn my family, friends and children against me

 

Did not let me socialise with my female friends

 

Told me that I was ugly

 

Told me no one would ever want me

 

Blamed me for their violence

Physical abuse

Shook me

 

Hit or tried to hit me with something

 

Pushed, grabbed or shoved me

 

Kicked me, bit me or hit with a fist

 

Slapped me

 

Threw me

 

Beat me up

Harassment

Harassed me over the telephone

 

Harassed me at work

 

Followed me

 

Hung around outside my house