Violence occurs when a person makes a choice to use power and control over an
intimate partner or household or family member.
Violence is chosen in all kinds of intimate relationships, including within
marriages, dating relationships (including between teens), partners who live together,
people with children in common, same-sex partners and people who were formerly
in a relationship with the person abusing them.
Abusive behaviors are not caused by someone being
angry or out of control. Nor is
abuse caused by alcohol or drugs, by communication problems or by mental
illness. An abuser makes a choice to exert power
and control over his or her partner. Abusive behaviors include physical,
emotional, verbal, sexual, social and financial abuse, as well as other power
and control tactic.