Domestic Abuse (DA) - Definitions

“Domestic Abuse” means assaultive or coercive behavior which includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, economic control, stalking, isolation, and threats or other types of coercive behaviors occurring within a domestic relationship.

Forms of domestic abuse may include, but are not limited to:

Type	Description
Destructive Acts	Actual or threatened assault of family, property or pets to scare the individual.
Emotional	Assaults against self-esteem.
Financial	Controlling and manipulating by threatening economic status and basic needs.
Homophobia	Bias against or dislike of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people or stereotypical gay/lesbian behavior.
Immigration	Using immigration status and fear of deportation.
Physical	Kicking, punching, shoving, slapping, pushing, and any other acts which may hurt the body.
Psychological	Causing a person to feel as if they are “going crazy.”
Sexual	Calling vulgar names, criticizing body parts or sensuality, forced or pressured sexual acts, including rape.
Spiritual	Attacking spiritual or religious beliefs.
Threats	Actual or threatened assault of children, pets or property.
Verbal	Name-calling, threats, put downs.

Domestic Relationships

“Domestic Relationships” are relationships between or among persons who:

Are current or former spouses
Live together or have lived together
Are dating or have dated
Are engaged in or who have engaged in a sexual relationship
Are related by blood or adoption
Are related or were formerly related by marriage
Are engaged or were formerly engaged to be married
Have children in common
Have minor children of persons mentioned above, or
Are acting in concert with, or on behalf of, a perpetrator in a relationship identified above.

Note: Relationships include, but are not limited to the ones listed above.

Domestic Abuse (DA) - Definitions

Domestic Relationships

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