Domestic Violence and Family Maltreatment

I.  Overview

A variety of factors, related to the individual, family, and/or the intimate relationship, can give rise to emotions and behaviors associated with domestic or family violence.  "Domestic violence" normally refers to the verbal, physical, or sexual abuse of one's spouse or intimate partner.  Abusers, often called batterers are usually men although women have been known to assault partners as batterers themselves, or in response to being abused.  Family violence also includes child abuse.  The risk of domestic and family violence increases when one or more family members are in distress, experiencing high stress, abusing alcohol or drugs or are diagnosed with mental illness (such as depression).

 Placing Emphasis on Healthy Communities in Domestic and Family Violence Prevention

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