Domestic violence, also called intimate partner violence, is a pattern of abuse in which one person uses fear and intimidation to gain power and control over a partner or family member. It may involve physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, such as:
- Physically hurting or threatening to hurt you, your children, or your pets.
- Controlling behavior, such as limiting contact with your family or friends, or limiting your access to money.
- Spying or checking up on you, such as repeatedly calling or texting you for no good reason.
- Calling you names, insulting you, or putting you down in front of others.
- Forcing you to have sex.