What is Domestic Violence?

Definitions of Domestic Violence

"Domestic violence is defined is a pattern of coercive control that one person exercises over another in an intimate relationship.  This control is established through fear, the use of physical and emotional violence and or other forms of abuse.  Relationships involving domestic violence may differ in terms of severity, but control is the primary goal."  (Department of Children and Families definition)

"We further suggest that domestic violence is constituted by the intent of perpetrator, the effect on the victim and the patterned or repetitive nature of the behavior."  (Simmons School of Social Work on-line training definition)

"In intimate terrorism relationships, the perpetrator engages in a general pattern of coercion and control over his partner – over her finances, social contacts, everyday activities, employment, parenting practices, even the clothes she wears – and uses violence as one means to that end.  Even non-violent control tactics take on a violent meaning through their implicit connection with potential physical harm.  This pattern creates a climate of fear that is common to other forms of terrorism as well.  This dynamic results in serious physical and emotional harm."  (Goodman and Epstein, Listening to Battered Women, 2008)

• 1 in every 4 women and 1 in 10 men will experience domestic violence in his or her lifetime
• Every 28 Minutes a woman is beaten by an intimate partner in Kansas
• Every 2 weeks a woman is killed by an intimate partner in Kansas.
• The costs of domestic violence for direct medical and mental health services exceeds $4.1 billion per year in the U.S.
• In a recent Kansas survey, 91% of domestic violence survivors indicated that receiving services improved their situation.