About Domestic Abuse

Definition of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence refers to a pattern of coercive behavior that is used by one person to gain power and control over another, which may include physical violence, sexual, emotional and psychological intimidation, verbal abuse, talking, and economic control.

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a serious problem and when left unchecked, will often increase in frequency and severity. The following are considered to be domestic violence: wife beating, intimate partner violence, battering, dating violence, family violence, domestic abuse. In essence, it is about violence being inflicted upon a person by another member of a family or an intimate relation.  Domestic violence relationships include current or former spouses, partners and significant others (including boyfriends and girlfriends), gays, lesbians, bi-sexual, transgendered persons, persons who share a child, blood relatives, step-family members, and foster family members.

Is Battering a Mental Illness?

Battering, in and of itself, is not a mental illness. Battering is a learned behavior. Some batters, as children, have witnessed violence in their homes and believe that violent behavior is acceptable. Batters make choices between violent and non-violent ways to resolve conflict. Once batterers gain control over their victims through their chosen method of violence, they are able to consistently use violence to maintain this control.

Learn More About Domestic Abuse Issues

You will find additional information about domestic abuse on our KidsTerrain web site at http://www.kidsterrain.com. Visit our FAQs pages, suggested reading lists, and webinars for  more information on domestic abuse.