Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through the use of fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence.

Domestic violence may include emotional abuse, economic abuse, sexual abuse, using children, threats, using male privilege, intimidation, isolation, and a variety of other behaviors used to maintain fear, intimidation, power and control.


RED FLAGS, PREDICTORS AND THINGS TO WATCH FOR

Recommendation: There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of specific screening instruments to detect family violence, but anyone working with women or couples should be alert to various presentations of spouse, partner and child abuse. More details...
 

WHAT IS A PROTECTION ORDER AND HOW DO I GET ONE?

This section describes what a protection order is, who you can get one against, who qualifies and how to get one. More details...
 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

This section details domestic violence in the workplace, along with the corporate cost of domestic violence. More details...

QUIZ: HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP?

Take this simple quiz to see if you may be in an abusive relationship.

TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

It is estimated that 1 in 4 teens is involved in an abusive relationship. In a 1995 survey conducted by Family Circle and YM magazines, 53% of the teens that responded reported having been abused by their dating partner. In many situations, unfortunately, teens do not recognize they are being abused until serious emotional and/or physical damage is done. More details...

IMMIGRANT WOMEN AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

There are laws to protect you. Coming to a new country is always difficult. If you are a new immigrant, you may not speak English. There are new customs to learn. Often you are very homesick for family, friends, and your homeland. Fears about not knowing the language, customs, and laws can make you feel isolated. This is especially a concern if you are a woman experiencing domestic violence. More details...
 

CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP?

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender. Intimate relationships affect our health. A girlfriend, boyfriend, lover or other partner who treats you badly can cause serious injury to your body, mind, and emotions. More details...

DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

People with disabilities are often unable to stop abuse due to lack of understanding of what is happening during abuse, the extreme pressure to give in out of fear, a need of acceptance from the abuser or feeling dependent upon the abuser. More details...

DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST THE ELDERLY

Statistics show
* In 81% of cases the offenders were caregivers, 78% family members
* In 1/3 of cases, sexually abusive acts toward elders were witnessed by others.
* One study found that 1/2 of nursing home residents who were victims of sexual assault died within 1 year of their victimization. More details...

TALKING TO TEENS WITH DISABILITIES ABOUT ABUSE

What Do You Know About Touch?
There are may different kinds of touch. All touches do not make you feel the same way. More details...

HOW CAN FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS OF DISABLED VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT HELP?

* Learn about sexual assault and how to identify indicators of abuse.
* Teach people to tell if someone makes them feel uncomfortable, or if they are assaulted.
* Be respectful at all times, especially when providing intimate personal care.
* Do background checks on all direct care staff and look for red flags of abuse behavior in their records.More details...

HOW CAN FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS OF DISABLED VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELP?

Compared to women without disabilities, women with disabilities are more like to experience violence and for more extended periods of time. Understanding that many of their problems are unique and dealing with them with respect are the first steps to helping. More details...