What Does Domestic Violence Involve?

- It occurs in all age, racial, socio-economic, educational, occupational, and religious groups.
- It occurs within intimate relationships.
- It typically involves repetitive behaviour encompassing different types of abuse.
- It is a systematic way of maintaining power and control over victims.
- It is a learned behaviour.
- It is caused by the perpetrator, NOT by the victim or the relationship.
- It is a criminal offence when physical or sexual force, actual or threatened is used.
- It is experienced more often by women.
- It results in more severe forms of violence and more serious injuries to female victims than to male victims.
- It may present increased risk to the victim and children at the time of separation from the abuser.
- It evokes victim behaviour that is often about survival.
Source Used With Permission: L.L. Bader, R.G. Jaffe, and K.J. Moore (2001). Understanding the Effects of Domestic Violence: A Trainer’s Manual for Early Childhood Educators. London ON: Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System.