Information Source
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence generally is defined as a violent crime committed in the context of an intimate relationship. However, domestic violence is no longer just a family matter. It is a crime involving the use of power, coercion and violence to control another. This crime is recognized by state law and prosecutable by law enforcement. Domestic violence is different from other random crimes because a perpetrator and victim are not strangers. Instead they are intimate partners, family members or parents of common children. This relationship, therefore, binds a victim to his or her perpetrator. For example, the victim may rely on the perpetrator for economic support or child support. Ongoing domestic violence is characterized by a pattern of escalating abuse in which one partner in the relationship controls the other through force, deprivation and/or the threat of deprivation or violence.
Who is Affected by Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence transcends all boundaries: age, gender, race, ethnic, geographical, economic and sexual orientation. This crime is a crime of power and control and anyone can find themselves subject to it.
Types of Domestic Violence
Spousal Abuse
This type of abuse generally occurs between a husband and wife, girlfriend and boyfriend, or same sex couple. The dominant partner may choose to exert his power by many means including physical, emotional, verbal, spiritual, financial, homophobic-based, immigration based, or threats of destructive acts.
Rape/Sexual Assault
This type of abuse typically occurs between a husband and wife, girlfriend and boyfriend, or same sex couple. The abuse is characterized by forced or pressured sexual acts, including rape.
Child Abuse
This type of abuse is typically perpetrated on a child by a parent, grandparent, step-parent, or significant other of a parent. It can include physical, emotional and verbal assaults against a child.
Elderly Abuse
This type of abuse is typically perpetrated on senior citizens by their children, grandchildren or others living with or caring for the victim. The abuse ranges from physical, emotional and verbal abuse to financial and destructive threats. Stalking / Cyber Stalking: Stalking is a crime of harassment in which a victim is fearful for his or her own safety or life.
Cyber-stalking
Cyber-stalking is a new phenomenon in stalking in which abusers can discover a victim’s Internet activities by gaining access to the victim’s e-mail account. The stalker can read the victim’s incoming and outgoing mail and send threatening or harassing e-mail messages to the victim.