In legal terms, domestic violence is defined as abuse committed against an adult or fully emancipated minor who is a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or a person with whom the perpetrator has had a child, a dating or an engagement relationship. Contrary to what many people think, domestic violence is not rare. In fact, battering is the major cause of serious injury to women in America, more than auto accidents, muggings and rapes combined. At the Support Network for Battered Women, we use the terms battering, abuse and violence interchangeably. Abusive behaviors may include subtle harm as well as life-threatening acts of violence.
Abusive behaviors create an atmosphere of intimidation in a relationship.
Several kinds of abuse can constitute battering in relationships, and each kind can take many different forms. Our society is so tolerant of abusive behavior that we often do not even recognize some behavior as abusive. Uncomfortable sex Forceful sex Sex after beatings Sex with weapons Marital rape. Not allowing you to have your own checkbook Not paying alimony or child support when able. Using a knife, gun, or other weapon against you Driving at unsafe speeds to intimidate you.