Health & Wellness / Domestic Violence / What Is Domestic Violence?

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Domestic Violence: Physical or psychological abuse, threats, intimidation, or harassment inflicted by a family member, significant other in a dating relationship, household member (i.e., roommates, floor mates, etc.), or caretaker relationship. Again, persons need not be married or living together and the perpetrator can be of the same sex/gender as the victim.

There are four forms of battering:

1. Physical - includes pushing, shoving, slapping, hitting with fist, kicking, choking, grabbing, pinching, pulling hair, or threatening with weapons.

2. Sexual - includes forced sex with the threat of violence, sex after violence has occurred, or the use of objects or damaging acts without the woman's consent.

3. Psychological/Emotional - includes brainwashing, control of the woman's freedom to come and go when she chooses.

4. Destruction of property or pets.

The Cycle of Violence: