In the past two decades, there has been growing recognition of the prevalence of domestic violence in our society. Moreover, it has become apparent that some individuals are at greater risk for victimization than others. Domestic violence has adverse effects on individuals, families, and society in general. Exposure to this form of violence has considerable potential to be perceived as life-threatening by those victimized and can leave them with a sense of vulnerability, helplessness, and in extreme cases, horror. Physical abuse includes pushing, hitting, slapping, choking, using an object to hit, twisting of a body part, forcing the ingestion of an unwanted substance, and use of a weapon.
Sexual abuse is defined as any unwanted sexual intimacy forced on one individual by another.
Compliance may be obtained through actual or threatened physical force or through some other form of coercion. It may also involve isolation, economic threats, and emotional abuse. Domestic violence is widespread and occurs among all socioeconomic groups. Of the abused children, they are three times more likely to have been abused by their fathers. Studies of the incidence of physical and sexual violence in the lives of children suggest that this form of violence can be viewed as a serious public health problem.