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What Is Domestic Violence Against Women?

Domestic violence or abuse against woman cuts across all cultural, socioeconomic and educational boundaries. Every 15-18 seconds, an incident of domestic violence occurs in the United States, according to the Bradley Angle House. In fact, one out of every four woman in the U.S. will be the victim of some form of domestic violence in her lifetime, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence. Knowing the signs can help you or someone you love escape an abusive relationship.

  1. Definition of Domestic Violence

    • Domestic abuse is any pattern of behavior aimed at establishing power and control over a current or former intimate partner through fear and intimidation. The abuser feels he has the right to control his partner, and his behavior usually escalates, leading to physical or sexual violence, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

    The Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse

    • The perpetrators of domestic violence include spouses, ex-spouses, boyfriends and girlfriends. Although the vast majority of batterers are male, the U.S. Department of Justice reports that this form of abuse crosses gender barriers and includes lesbian relationships as well. Intimate partners account for more than 75 percent of reported physical assaults on woman compared, with just more than 17 percent for men. (USDOJ: Finding From the National Violence Against Woman Survey 2000).

    Intimate Partner Abuse is Not Just Physical

    • Obviously, any time your partner lays his hands on you by hitting, shoving or pushing you, it constitutes domestic violence. Domestic abuse is not limited to only physical violence--sexual, emotional, psychological and economic abuses all qualify as domestic violence under federal law. Any time the person you love intentionally and repeatedly hurts you in any of these ways, you are the victim of domestic violence, according to womenshealth.gov.

    Signs of Domestic Violence

    • Insulting you, calling you names or constantly criticizing you is defined as emotional abuse by a partner. Forcing you to have sex or perform sexual acts against your will--regardless of your relationship--is sexual abuse. Controlling you by limiting your access to money defines economic abuse. Isolating you from friends and family, stalking or threatening harm to you or anyone you love is physiological abuse. All of these, says the Mayo Clinic, are forms of domestic violence.

    Violence Against Woman Act

    • In 1994, Congress passed the Violence Against Woman Act to clarify the laws on domestic violence. VAWA also provided funding for educating the public on domestic violence and helping domestic violence victims themselves. Until then, laws on intimate partner abuse varied by state and city, and some were quite antiquated. In 2000, and again in 2005 the U.S. Congress passed new VAW Acts, strengthening laws and programs designed to prevent domestic violence.

    Get Help

    • If you or someone you love is the victim of domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week--all conversations are completely confidential. The number is 800'799'SAFE (7233).

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