Battering is not the exclusive behavior of men, and of course not all men batter their partners. However, the majority of abusive relationships involve men over women, and the information provided here will favor that bias. All efforts will be made, however, to be as non-gender specific as possible. Domestic violence crosses all cultures, races, and socioeconomic levels. Abusers and their victims can be gay, straight, young, or old.
Abuse can be verbal, physical, emotional, financial, and sexual.