What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behaviors designed to control the thoughts and actions of an intimate partner. Domestic violence is physical, sexual, and psychological violence directed at intimate partners, children, siblings or elders.
Regardless of the type of battering behavior, all battering is done to punish, to dominate, or to control the victim. When battering is happening, there is no concern for the mental or physical well-being of the other person.
- Physical assault: pushing, punching, hitting, kicking, biting, choking, tearing hair, or using a weapon.
- Forced sexual contact and rape.
- Destruction of property.
- Injury or destruction of pets.
- Threats and intimidation, including threats to harm children or other family members.
- Control of money, transportation, activities and social contacts.
Domestic violence occurs as a pattern of violence over time, with the violence taking a variety of forms:
What are the effects of verbal abuse?
