What is Domestic Violence?

By: Olivia Ryder

Domestic violence, which is also referred to as domestic abuse or intimate partner violence, is defined by the United States Department of Justice as “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain control over another intimate partner.” This abuse can be physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, psychological, spiritual, digital, or even economic.
 
Insults, threats, gaslighting, and sexual coercion are all aspects of domestic violence. In other words, domestic violence includes any abusive behaviors that frighten, intimidate, manipulate, hurt, blame, or injure an intimate partner or family member. It can happen in a wide variety of relationships, including but not limited to married couples, people dating, former couples, family members, and people with shared children. It is important to note that domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of religion, actual or perceived race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, marital status, national origin, language capacity, or disability. It impacts every community and people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
 
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. Meaning, in one year, more than 10 million women and men have experienced physical abuse by their intimate partners.  Victims of domestic violence can experience diminished self-worth, anxiety, depression, and feelings of helplessness because of the actions and behaviors of their abusive partners.
 
Free resources and help are available. For more information, contact our Confidential Crisis Line: (317) 731-6140. If you are in a life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1 immediately.

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