What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence can be defined as the use of force, or the threat of force, to dominate or control another person in an intimate relationship. This includes physical abuse such as pushing, hitting, biting, or striking with an object or weapon; emotional abuse such coercion, blackmail or threats made to the victim or her family; verbal abuse such as harassment, name-calling and yelling; sexual abuse which means any forced sexual conduct; economic abuse such as denying the victim access to financial resources or decision-making; and stalking. Domestic Violence occurs in all cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic groups, as well as same-sex intimate relationships.