About Domestic Violence

Definition of Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence:

A pattern of coercive tactics used by perpetrators to establish and maintain power and control over the victim.

Acting with Intent

The coercive tactics can include:

emotional abuse
physical abuse
sexual abuse

economic abuse
psychological abuse

Abuse is any behavior that seeks to deprive its victim of the independence
and respect that the abuser demands for him/herself in the relationship.

Domestic Violence (DV) is also referred to as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

Domestic Violence Does Not Discriminate

No one is immune to domestic violence or dating abuse.

A victim can be:

From any socio-economic group
From any cultural, racial, ethnic group
From any religious or non-religious group

Highly educated or not
Gay or straight
Male, female, or transgender
Any age group

LGBTQ Domestic Violence

Intimate partner violence in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) relationships occurs at roughly the same rate as in heterosexual relationships.

LGBTQ victims experience tactics of power and control, similar to those used in heterosexual relationships and face additional risks related to homophobia, threats to out, isolation, solidarity with other LGBTQ, and lack of support, among other vulnerabilities.

How to Help a Victim