The willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant component is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other. For more information, please visit: http://www.ncadv.org
Variations: domestic violence, DV
