The United States Department of Justice defines domestic violence as, “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone”.
Domestic violence may also involve criminal behavior such as assault, threats, and abuse. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels and can happen in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships.
Resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance
United States Department of Justice
www.ovw.usdoj.gov/domviolence.htm
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
National Network to End Domestic Violence
http://www.nnedv.org/getinvolved/dvam.html
DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
http://www.dccadv.org/index.php?pid=67
Domestic Violence Awareness Project
http://www.nrcdv.org/dvam/home
Battered Women’s Justice Project