An adult who perpetrates a pattern of coercive tactics which can include physical, psychological, sexual, economic, and emotional abuse against a cohabitant, with the goal of establishing and maintaining power and control over the victim. The cohabitant against whom an abuser directs his coercive and violent acts. Because women represent the vast majority of victims, this policy will refer to abusers as male and to victims as female. Most of the information in this policy, however, will apply to all victims and abusers regardless of their gender or the gender of their partners. These persons are often based in, or linked with, the District or County Attorney's Offices, law enforcement agencies, or shelters.
Standards require at least one hour of treatment per week for a minimum of sixteen weeks.
All persons have a basic right to feel safe from harm at all times, especially in their homes, schools. Communities and during the conduct of business in the workplace. Domestic violence crosses the lines of socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, religious affiliation, physical and mental disabilities, immigrant status, education, employment status, urban vs. rural residency, and marital status. Although it is most obvious when abusive cohabitants commit physical assault, domestic violence is best understood as an abuser's pattern of coercive behavior that serves to establish and maintain power and control over family, household members, or intimidate other persons. Through criminal conduct such as threats or harassment in person or by phone, stalking, assault, etc.