Domestic Violence
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What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a systematic pattern of abusive behaviors used by one partner to exert power and control over another in an intimate relationship. It encompasses various forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, and even digital (technological). This abuse can manifest through actions or threats designed to intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, terrorize, coerce, or injure the victim. The primary aim is to dominate the other partner, causing fear and maintaining control over them in the relationship.
Examples of Abusive Behavior Include
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse includes actions like hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, or hair pulling. It can also involve denying medical care or coercing the partner into using alcohol or drugs.
Sexual Abuse
Engaging in or attempting to engage in any sexual contact or behavior without consent is considered sexual abuse. This includes, but is not limited to, marital rape, assault on sexual parts of the body, forcing sexual acts after physical violence, or treating someone in a sexually demeaning manner.
Emotional Abuse
Undermining an individual's sense of self-worth or self-esteem is a form of abuse. This can include, but is not limited to, constant criticism, belittling one's abilities, name-calling, or damaging the relationship with their children.
Economic Abuse
Controlling or restricting a person’s access to economic resources they are entitled to is a form of abuse. This can involve using coercion, fraud, or manipulation to limit access to money, assets, credit, or financial information. It also includes the unfair use of someone’s personal economic resources, such as money and assets, or exerting undue influence over their financial decisions. Examples include forcing a person into default on joint or other financial obligations, exploiting powers of attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship, or failing to act in the best interests of someone to whom one owes a fiduciary duty.
Technological Abuse
An act or pattern of behavior intended to harm, threaten, control, stalk, harass, impersonate, exploit, extort, or monitor another person through any form of technology. This includes, but is not limited to, internet-enabled devices, online platforms, computers, mobile devices, cameras and imaging software, apps, location tracking devices, communication technologies, or any other emerging technologies.​​​
Psychological Abuse
Elements of psychological abuse include, but are not limited to, instilling fear through intimidation, threatening physical harm to oneself, a partner, children, or their family and friends, destroying pets or property, and coercing isolation from family, friends, work, or school.
Domestic violence can impact anyone, regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, sex, or gender identity. It transcends all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels, affecting individuals in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships. This form of violence can occur between intimate partners who are married, cohabitating, dating, or share children.
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The effects of domestic violence extend beyond the victim, deeply impacting family members, friends, co-workers, witnesses, and the community. Children exposed to domestic violence are particularly vulnerable, as they face not only social and physical challenges but also the risk of internalizing violence as a normal part of life. This increases their likelihood of becoming victims or perpetrators of violence in the future.