What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence is abuse by one person in a current or former intimate relationship in order to maintain power and control over the other person.  The abuse can take many forms, including physical, sexual, verbal, social, economic, emotional, psychological, and environmental.  It is:

• Learned behavior
• Often repeated and escalated
• Coercive and targeted
• Present in all ages, races, ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, religions, economic levels, and educational levels; and it
• Creates an environment of fear and intimidation

It effects both parties involved, their children, their families, and their friends.
No one deserves to be abused.