👉 It can happen to anyone.
Domestic violence refers to a pattern of repeated behaviors used to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Every relationship is different, and each person’s experience of abuse is unique. However, what is common with all domestic violence is the intent to control. When one partner seeks to control the other, it is not love—it is abuse.
Domestic violence can appear in many forms—physical, emotional, economic, and sexual. While many people only think of physical abuse when they hear the term, in reality, the person doing harm uses a variety of tactics to maintain control. If one partner consistently uses a series of behaviors to maintain power and control, it is considered abuse—even if it is not listed here.