What is Domestic Violence?

A Pattern of Abusive Behaviors.
Domestic Violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used to dominate and control an intimate partner, former partner, or family member.

Types of Abuse:
Abusers use a variety of legal and illegal tactics to establish control, including the following types of abuse:

    Emotional & Verbal: 
    Includes put-downs, name calling, blaming the victim for the abuse, isolating the victim 
    from family and friends, making the victim think she is crazy.

    Economic:
    Keeping the victim from getting or maintaining a job, forcing the victim to ask for money, 
    withholding money, keeping family finances a secret, intentionally destroying credit.

    Sexual: 
    Any sexual actions, completed or attempted, and words that coerce, manipulate or are 
    forced upon someone.

    Physical: 
    Any use of force, threatening to use force, or weapons.

Signs of Abuse:
It's not always easy to tell if someone is being abused, but there are signs that may suggest abuse.  Visit the Signs of Abuse page for details.