The Power and Control Wheel was developed by battered women in Duluth who had been abused by their male partners and were attending women’s education groups sponsored by the women’s shelter. The Wheel is used in our curriculum for men who have used violence against their female partners. While we recognize that there are women who use violence against men, and that there are men and women in same-sex relationships who use violence, this wheel is meant specifically to illustrate men’s abusive behaviors toward women. We believe that illustrations of abusive behaviors are most valid when they arise directly from the experiences of those abused. Although some experiences of battered women may be similar to those of other groups, they aren’t the same. Substituting gender-neutral language does not acknowledge the specific tactics used to control other groups of people, including men abused by women and people abused by their same sex-partner. For these reasons, gender-neutral language is not permitted on the Power and Control Wheel. (Author abstract)