Family Resource Center Inc.

What is Domestic Violence?

The United Nations defines [Domestic Violence] as "any act of violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to a domestic partner, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life"..

Intimate partner violence refers to behavior by an intimate partner or ex-partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviors.

Sexual violence is "any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting. It includes rape, defined as the physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration of the vulva or anus with a penis, other body part or object, attempted rape, unwanted sexual touching and other non-contact forms." - World Health Organization

Who can experience Domestic Violence?

People of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, backgrounds, and ethnicities can experience domestic violence. 

Do abusers show any potential warning signs?

There is no way to spot an abuser in a crowd, but most abusers share some common characteristics. Some of the subtle warning signs include:

• They insist on moving quickly into a relationship.

• They can be very charming and may seem “too good to be true.”

• They insist that you stop participating in your preferred leisure activities or spending time with family and friends.

• They are extremely jealous or controlling.

• They do not take responsibility for their actions and blame others for everything that goes wrong.

• They criticize their partner’s appearance and make frequent put-downs.

• Their words and actions don’t match.

Can abusers change?

Yes, but they must first make the choice to change their behavior. It’s not easy for an abusive partner to stop choosing abusive behavior, and it requires a serious commitment to change. Once an abuser has had all of the power in a relationship, it’s difficult to transition to a healthy relationship where each partner has equal respect and power.

Sometimes an abusive partner stops one form of the abuse – for example, the physical violence – but continues to employ other forms of abuse – such as emotional, sexual, or financial abuse. It is important to remember that domestic violence includes one or more forms of abuse and is a part of an overall pattern of seeking power and control over the victim. - NNDEV