{"id":351827,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:35","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/domestic-violence\/what-is-domestic-violence.html"},"modified":"2026-07-07T14:16:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T19:16:00","slug":"what-is-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/domestic-violence\/what-is-domestic-violence.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Domestic Violence?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is Domestic Violence?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in a relationship by one partner seeking to exert control over their spouse. Domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse.  It includes emotional, psychological and financial abuse, among other types of abuse. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Domestic violence is not new. It has existed in societies throughout the world for centuries. In the late 20th century, a growing movement sought to raise awareness of this longstanding social problem. As a result, the federal and state governments enacted laws designed to assist victims and hold violent offenders accountable.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The prevalence of domestic violence represents a major public health concern. Domestic violence affects millions of Americans.\u00a0The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>\u00a0(CDC) state that 41% of women and 26% of men experienced violence from an intimate partner and reported it in their lifetime. Domestic abuse reports to law enforcement include physical violence, sexual violence, and stalking.<\/p>\n

Understanding the definition of domestic violence can help you to take more effective action<\/a> against it. Not all victims of crime recognize the signs of an abusive relationship. Family members who grew up in a home with domestic violence are at risk of becoming victims or abusers themselves.<\/p>\n

This article will help you learn more about domestic violence. It will identify the types of abuse experienced by domestic violence victims.<\/p>\n

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Need local legal help with domestic violence? Find an attorney near you<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Legal Definition of Domestic Violence<\/h2>\n

According to the U.S. Department of Justice\u00a0Office on Violence Against Women<\/a>, domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship used by one partner to gain or maintain control over another intimate partner. In criminal law, the crime of domestic violence may occur in one or more incidents. It may include an attempted assault or\u00a0threats of imminent physical harm. It may take the form of sexual assault. It may encompass the psychological abuse involved in stalking.<\/p>\n

Domestic Violence: Types of Abuse<\/h2>\n

Many\u00a0types of abuse<\/a>\u00a0are present in the definition of domestic violence:<\/p>\n