Domestic violence is abuse between family members or related persons.
It also occurs in any relationship between two or more intimates. Domestic violence is distinguished from other kinds of abuse because of the special relationship between the persons. Domestic violence is further defined as the chronic, physical, sexual and psychological maltreatment of one intimate partner by another, with the intent to control in non-consensual or harmful ways. This misuse of power harms the psychological, social, economic, sexual and physical well-being of the victim. Abuse is often hard to recognize and many people believe it can only happen to submissives or novices.