What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a deliberate pattern of behaviors used to gain and maintain power and control in a relationship (or former relationship). Domestic violence (DV) is often used interchangeably with intimate partner violence (IPV):
➤ Domestic violence refers to violence among people who live together or occupy the same household, and can thus include not only a spouse or partner, but also siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.
➤ Intimate partner violence specifically refers to abuse and violence between romantic partners (spouses, fiancés, boyfriend/girlfriend). The romantic partners do not necessarily live together.
Help, support, and information are available to you through Laurel House. Please call our 24-hour confidential hotline at
1-800-642-3150 or text "HOPE" to 85511.
The Scope of Domestic Violence: A Snapshot
Different Types of Abuse
The Power and Control Wheel is a tool that helps explain the different ways an abusive partner can manipulate a relationship.
Physical and sexual assaults or threats to commit them are the most apparent forms of domestic violence and are usually the actions that allow others to become aware of the problem. Very often, one or more violent incidents are accompanied by an array of these other types of abuse. They are less easily identified, yet firmly establish a pattern of intimidation and control in the relationship. Some of these other forms include:
➤ Coercion: threats (eg. threats to hurt the victim, leave them, commit suicide, etc.), intimidation (making them afraid using looks, actions, and gestures), lies
➤ Volatility: big fights, big makeups (eg. a big argument followed by lavish gifts to apologize)
➤ Minimizing, Denying, and Blaming: making light of abuse, saying it didn't happen or shifting responsibility by blaming the victim
➤ Financial: 99% of abusive relationships contain financial abuse. Preventing the survivor from getting a job, making them ask for money, refusing to get a job and making the survivor pay for everything without prior discussion
Red Flags & Warning Signs
The Health Impact of Domestic Violence
The body remembers the impacts of domestic violence as well as the mind.
Domestic violence prevention is health care. First responders, nurses, and other health professionals are often the first lifeline for survivors. Did you know?
➤ Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are extremely common in survivors; up to 75% experience at least one brain injury
➤ Symptoms of TBI are often misdiagnosed as mental health conditions
➤ Victimization by an intimate partner increases a person's risk of depression and PTSD by 3X, substance abuse by 6X, and suicide attempts by 4X
➤ Strangulation is a major predictor of homicide, increasing risk over 7 times. CLICK HERE to learn more about strangulation
More Information
Domestic abuse is an "equal opportunity offender." It can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.
Laurel House provides services to anyone impacted by domestic violence and abuse. If you, or someone you know, is being impacted by domestic abuse, call Laurel House's confidential, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-642-3150 or text "HOPE" to 85511.
The information on and provided through the website of Laurel House and other Internet information sources to which it refers is intended to provide support and general information and should not be used to replace professional counseling, therapy, and/or legal advice. Do not use the information found on www.laurel-house.org as a substitute for professional evaluation and treatment and/or consultation with an attorney. Laurel House strives to keep information on this website accurate and timely, but cannot guarantee the timeliness, accuracy, currency, or quality of information appearing, published, or archived on the website. Laurel House may make improvements and/or changes to the information, graphics, and pictures on the website at any time.