What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of physical, psychological, or sexual abuse, including threats, intimidation, isolation, and/or economic coercion. Domestic violence is used by one person to exert power and control over another in the context of a dating, family or household relationship.
Examples of abuse include:
Domestic violence is not a disagreement, an anger management issue, or a normal part of an intimate relationship. It is a systemic pattern of abusive behavior with intent to gain power and control over another person. This includes dating, partner, spousal, and elder abuse, as well as abuse between present or former household members. Domestic violence IS a crime.
Examples of abuse include:
- Name calling or putdowns
- Keeping a partner from contacting family or friends
- Witholding money
- Stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job
- Actual or threatened physical harm
- Sexual assault
- Stalking
- Intimidation
Domestic violence is not a disagreement, an anger management issue, or a normal part of an intimate relationship. It is a systemic pattern of abusive behavior with intent to gain power and control over another person. This includes dating, partner, spousal, and elder abuse, as well as abuse between present or former household members. Domestic violence IS a crime.
Power & Control Wheel
Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse! Victims can be of any age, sex, race, culture, religion, education, employment or marital status. Although both men and women can be abused, most victims are women. Children in the homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused and/or neglected.
Source: Power & Control Wheel, originally created by Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, Duluth, MN.
