Domestic violence

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Domestic violence and abuse is not limited to obvious physical violence. Domestic violence can 
also mean endangerment, criminal coercion, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, trespassing, 
harassment, and stalking.^[5]Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal 
abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence (IPV), is defined as a pattern
of abusive behaviors by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as marriage,
dating, family, or cohabitation.^[1]Domestic violence, so defined, has many forms, including physical
aggression or assault (hitting, kicking, biting, shoving, restraining, slapping, throwing objects), or
threats thereof; sexual abuse; emotional abuse; controlling or domineering; intimidation; stalking;
passive/covert abuse (e.g.,neglect); and economic deprivation.^[1][2] Alcohol consumption^[3] and
mental illness^[4] can be co-morbid with abuse, and present additional challenges in eliminating
domestic violence. Awareness, perception, definition and documentation of domestic violence
differs widely from country to country, and from era to era.