Domestic Violence Isn't Always Physical Violence

Real men aren't violent.

When domestic violence was first given any real attention in the 1970s, it was broadly defined as a situation involving abusive behavior in an intimate relationship.  The problem of domestic violence gained significant attention in the 1990s and the definition was expanded to include domestic abuse, spousal abuse, intimate partner violence, family violence and spousal battering.

So defined, domestic violence takes on many forms, including physical assault, sexual assault, psychological assault and attacks against property and pets.

Physical Assault

Physical assaults may occur frequently or infrequently, but in many cases they tend to escalate in severity and frequency over time.  This form of domestic violence may include shoving, pushing, restraining, hitting or kicking.  Unfortunately, many violent situations end in the death of the victim, the abuser or both.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault occurs in a relationship when one partner forces sexual acts that are unwanted or declined by the other partner.  A National Fact Sheet published by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence states “Nearly 7.8 million women have been raped by an intimate partner at some point in their lives.”