Yep - a . The World Health Organization (WHO) cites four forms of Intimate Partner Violence. The first two have to do with physical violence and sexual violence against the partner. Not sure if those fit, but it would appear the last two probably do:
1. Emotional (psychological) - insults, belittling, intimidation, destroying things, threats of harm, threats to take away children
2. Controlling Behavior - isolation of a person from family and friends, monitoring their movements, and restricting access to financial resources, employment and medical care
Melinda, herself, on her facebook page acknowledged he'd destroyed pictures, but she tried to assume some blame herself when they reconciled, after he'd thrown her and the baby out.
It sounds like she may also have been afraid of losing her daughter, perhaps because of things he said to her make her fear this. As for the control, she posted the "love doesn't isolate" post on New Year's Eve and her father reported he'd take the daughter so she couldn't go home to see her family. He also made Melinda quit her job. This made her totally financially dependent upon him and he went through periods of unemployment and wasn't providing.
My thoughts are that elements of intimate partner violence existed in their relationship, with Melinda as the victim, and that this could be a part of the prosecutions case.
