What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic abuse is the use or the threat of physical, sexual, or verbal behavior to coerce a partner to do something in order to maintain power and control in a relationship.

Domestic abuse is not caused by mental illness, anger management problems, or drug or alcohol abuse. However, these factors can contribute to the escalation of abuse.

Two of three abused women stay in their abusive relationships. And four in five abused women do not report their attacks. Often because:

• She has nowhere to go
• She can't afford to leave
• She is scared to leave – it can be the most dangerous time for woman in an abusive relationship