While many people believe that domestic violence is only defined by serious physical battery toward a spouse, in reality, its definition is much broader than that.  DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is a pattern of physically or emotionally violent or coercive behavior that one person uses to exercise power and control over another.  Abusers may use verbal insults, emotional abuse, financial deprivation, threats of physical harm to family members or friends, and sexual or physical violence to dominate their partners and ultimately get their way.

Following are some examples of ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR:

NONE OF THESE BEHAVIORS IS ACCEPTABLE.  ALL OF THEM ARE CONSIDERED ABUSIVE.

Domestic and relationship violence can happen to ANYONE.

Most victims are women who are abused by their boyfriend or husband.  Teenage, pregnant, and elderly women are especially at risk.

Children can be direct or indirect victims.  They may be battered themselves.  They may be forced to see their parent battered in front of them.  The batterer may use threats to harm them as a way to control their victim.  They may grow up seeing domestic violence as the natural way for partners to relate to each other.  They grow up in an insecure environment filled with tension and fear.

Teenagers often experience dating violence and may not seek help because they distrust adults or don't know where to turn.

Domestic violence occurs in gay and lesbian households.  Victims may be reluctant to seek help for fear that no one will believe that it constitutes actual abuse.

Elderly family members may be victims.  They may be abused by caretakers or children and may be physically or mentally unable to report the abuse.

A COMMON QUESTION: WHY DO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE OFTEN STAY WITH THEIR PARTNERS?

The answer isn't simple. The cycle of abuse is extremely complicated and involves many factors. For information about why some victims find it difficult to leave their abusive relationships, visit http://www.artemiscenter.org/dvlibrary/whyvictimsstay.htm .

No one should have to endure this cycle of abuse. Finding the courage to leave is the first step to rebuilding a safe and joyful life.