Domestic Violence Defined:
The abuse, mental, or physical, of one person by another person with whom the abused has a significant and intimate relationship.
Domestic violence can occur in relationships whether the couple:
¨ Is living together or not living together
¨ Is married, divorced, separated or not married
¨ Has children or does not have children
¨ Is a heterosexual or homosexual
Violence in relationships can take a number of forms. The abuse ranges from verbal attacks to sexual assault.