Why do domestic violence occur

You may be in a physically abusive relationship if your partner:. Sexual abuse : involves forcing a partner to take part in a sex act when the partner does not consent. You may be in a sexually abusive relationship if your partner:. Stalking involves any pattern of behavior that serves no legitimate purpose and is intended to harass, annoy, or terrorize the victim.

Typical stalking activities include repeated telephone calls, unwelcome letters or gifts by mail, surveillance at work, home and other places that the victim is known to frequent. Stalking usually escalates. Note : Keep in mind that a survivor often makes several attempts to leave the abusive relationship before succeeding. Skip to main content. Toggle navigation Welcome to the United Nations.

Outreach workers in Syria are worried about the vulnerability of women and girls under curfew. What Is Domestic Abuse? Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, faith or class Victims of domestic abuse may also include a child or other relative, or any other household member. Are You Being Abused? Recognizing the signs of domestic abuse Does your partner… Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family?

Put down your accomplishments? Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions? Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance? Tell you that you are nothing without them? Treat you roughly—grab, push, pinch, shove or hit you? Call you several times a night or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be? Learn more about domestic violence in same sex relationships. Domestic violence is a serious social problem and a national health concern with significant negative impacts on individuals and our communities.

It is a primary cause of injury to women in the United States. Additionally, one in three women in the United States are physically abused by a partner at some point in their lives.

The Center for Disease Control reports that approximately 1. Just as the use of physical violence on the street is illegal, the use of physical violence in a relationship is an illegal act for which the abuser can be arrested and prosecuted.

Each domestic violence situation is different. Yet, all abusers use similar ways to get what they want and keep power and control. Batterers can be charming, sweet and apologetic one minute and abusive the next. If violence or threat of violence has happened more than once or twice, it is extremely likely to happen again.

The violence usually gets worse over time, increasing in both frequency and severity. It is common for the abuse to develop into a pattern or cycle of abuse. All kinds of people: Domestic violence occurs among all ethnic groups and all cultures, among all ages, all income levels, all faiths and all education levels. For some people, their social, economic or cultural background may make it harder for them to get help.

Lack of money, racial bias, language barriers, immigration status, anti-gay or lesbian beliefs, and religious beliefs can create barriers for survivors. Women and Men: Women are more likely to be abused, but men may also be survivors.

Abuse can occur in both heterosexual and same sex relationships. In relationships where domestic violence exists, violence is not equal. Even if the victim fights back or instigates violence in an effort to diffuse a situation. There is always one person who is the primary, constant source of power, control, and abuse in the relationship.

Every relationship differs, but what is most common within all abusive relationships is the varying tactics used by abusers to gain and maintain power and control over the victim. Physical and sexual assaults, or threats to commit them, are the most apparent forms of domestic violence and are usually the actions that make others aware of the problem.

However, regular use of other abusive behaviors by the abuser, when reinforced by one or more acts of physical violence, make up a larger scope of abuse. Although physical assaults may occur only occasionally, they instill fear of future violent attacks and allow the abuser to control the victim's life and circumstances. Illustrations of the power and control wheel and the post-separation power and control wheel are particularly helpful tools in understanding the overall pattern of abusive and violence behaviors used by abusers to establish and maintain control over their partners both within and following a relationship.

Very often, one or more violence incidents are accompanied by an array of these other types of abuse. They are less easily identified, yet firmly establish a pattern of intimidation and control in the relationship.