Domestic Violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat of violence.

• Physical Abuse:  slapping, kicking, hitting, shoving, or other physical force.

• Emotional Abuse:  shouting, name-calling, humiliation, constant criticism, or harming the victim's relationship with children.

• Mental Abuse:  threats to harm the victims' family, friends, children, co-workers, or pets, isolation, mind games, destruction of victims' property, or stalking.

• Financial Abuse:  controlling the victim's money, withholding money for basic needs, interfering with school or job, or damaging the victim's credit.

• Sexual Abuse:  rape, sexual assault, forced prostitution, or interfering with birth control.