Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior by someone in the victim’s close domestic circle, such as a partner, ex-partner, immediate family member, or other relatives and family friends. It involves a power imbalance where the victim is often dependent on the abuser. The abuse can be physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, economic, or technological and is used to gain or maintain power and control over the victim.

Forms of Domestic Violence

• Physical violence: hitting, slapping, kicking, or other physical harm.
• Sexual violence: forced or coerced sexual acts, including non-physical acts like sexting.
• Psychological/emotional abuse: verbal attacks, intimidation, humiliation, degradation, and controlling behavior.
• Economic abuse: controlling finances or restricting access to money.
• Harassment and stalking: repeated unwanted contact causing fear or worry.
• Honour-based violence: including forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and honour killings.
• Abuse of children, elderly, or vulnerable family members.

Victims and Impact

• Women are the largest group of victims, but men, children, and elderly people can also be affected.
• Domestic violence occurs across all social and economic groups.
• It can have severe and lasting physical and mental health impacts.
• Abuse may be deliberate or sometimes arise from stressful caregiving situations that escalate.

In summary, domestic violence is a serious and complex issue involving various forms of abuse within close relationships, characterized by control and power imbalance, and affecting individuals across all demographics.