Service Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive control that one person exercises over another in order to dominate and get their way. The abuse can come in many forms such as physically or emotionally harming, arousing fear, preventing a person from doing what she wants or compelling her to behave in a way not freely chosen by her. It kills more women than auto accidents, muggings, and rapes combined . 6 million American women are beaten each year by their husbands or boyfriends.
Women are much more likely to be assaulted by a male partner than by a stranger on the street.
Domestic violence occurs equally across all sectors of society. It knows no social, economic, racial or religious boundaries. Acts of violence not only inflict physical injuries, but also have the potential to destroy a person s foundations of trust and safety. Domestic Violence thrives because of the lack of public awareness and community response to the problem of domestic violence, as well a lack of acknowledgment and desire for change. Most of our social structures and institutions are based on a patriarchal system that dictates that men, by virtue of their gender, are entitled to control women and children.