A pattern of coercive behavior that is used by one person to gain power and control over another, which may include physical violence, sexual, emotional and psychological intimidation, verbal abuse, stalking, and economic control. Nearly 1 in 3 adult women experiences at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood.
Sexual assaults can and do occur within marital relationships.
Most often, these assaults occur within a context of on-going domestic violence. Much of female violence is committed in self-defense, and inflicts less injury than male violence. One out of every four American women report that they have been physically abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. Violence-relatedIniuries Treated in Hosl2italEmergencyDeaartments. Michael R. Rand.