Domestic Violence

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence – or intimate partner violence – is not physical violence alone. It's any behavior intended to gain or maintain power and control over a spouse, partner, girlfriend, boyfriend or intimate family member. Abuse is a learned behavior; it's not caused by anger, mental problems, drugs or alcohol or other common excuses.

A few of the most common ways abusers control victims:

  • Isolation
  • Emotional abuse
  • Using children
  • Dominating finances, family resources and access to healthcare
  • Physical and sexual assault

More information is available from: