Domestic Violence Definition
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used by one individual inteneded to exert power and control over another individual in the context of an intimate or family relationship.
Pattern: Domestic violence involves more than one or even several isolated incidents of violence. It involves an interrelated pattern that includes a wide variety of abusive behaviors and usually increases in frequency and intensity over time.
Abusive Behaviors: Abusive or coercive behaviros may include, but are not limited to, physical assualts, verbal assaults, threats, intimidation, use of weapons, destruction of property, voolenc towrard other significant people or pets, sexual manipulation, and control over economic resources.
Intended to exert power and control: The pattern of behaviors is not a matte of coincidence or the result of a time-limted crisis. Rather, it is an ongoing pattern in the relationship whereby the abuser acts to control the other person.
Intimate or family relationship: A relationship between two adults intended to provide emotional and physical intimacy.
In the United States, violence against women and girls has increasingly gained public recognition at the policy and programs levels. Acts of violence against women affect not only the individuals targeted by the abuse and control, but their families, the community and the larger society.
Pattern: Domestic violence involves more than one or even several isolated incidents of violence. It involves an interrelated pattern that includes a wide variety of abusive behaviors and usually increases in frequency and intensity over time.
Abusive Behaviors: Abusive or coercive behaviros may include, but are not limited to, physical assualts, verbal assaults, threats, intimidation, use of weapons, destruction of property, voolenc towrard other significant people or pets, sexual manipulation, and control over economic resources.
Intended to exert power and control: The pattern of behaviors is not a matte of coincidence or the result of a time-limted crisis. Rather, it is an ongoing pattern in the relationship whereby the abuser acts to control the other person.
Intimate or family relationship: A relationship between two adults intended to provide emotional and physical intimacy.
In the United States, violence against women and girls has increasingly gained public recognition at the policy and programs levels. Acts of violence against women affect not only the individuals targeted by the abuse and control, but their families, the community and the larger society.
