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Domestic Violence
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior directed at a former or current partner, spouse, or boyfriend or girlfriend. The abuser uses fear and intimidation to gain power and control over the other person. The abuse can take many forms, including physical battering, emotional abuse, economic abuse, and sexual abuse, and may involve using children, pets, threats, intimidation, and isolation.
Domestic violence affects all types of people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, sexual identity, and religion. It is also called intimate partner abuse, family violence, battering, elder abuse, and teen relationship abuse.
Domestic violence is a national problem that touches many lives. It is estimated that 25 percent of women and 8 percent of men in the United States have been physically and/or sexually abused by an intimate partner at some point in their adult lives. Domestic violence can have tragic conclusions. In those homicides where the killer is identified, about 33 percent of female murder victims and 4 percent of male murder victims are killed by their intimate partners.
Abuse in dating relationships is common among teens. Relationship abuse in teens often takes the form of extreme possessiveness and jealousy. Many teens do not have the experience or maturity to recognize that they are being abused. If you think you might be in an abusive relationship, talk to your parents, another adult family member, or a school counselor, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
What are the signs of domestic violence?
Domestic violence can start during dating with subtle jealousy or possessiveness. After the relationship becomes more serious, the abuser may begin making threats, name-calling, and slamming doors or breaking dishes. Abusers also often use emotional or financial abuse to try to make the victim feel worthless or helpless. Typically once battering starts, it continues and is likely to escalate. For example, battering that starts with a slap may escalate over time to kicking and shoving and finally choking. The abuser might exert control over the victim by threatening violence against his or her children.
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