What is Domestic Violence?

We believe that domestic violence is defined not by individual acts of violence, but by a pattern of behavior used by one person to maintain power and control over another. 

Domestic violence occurs between people in relationships, such as current or former: husbands and wives; boyfriends and girlfriends; gay and lesbian partners; within the transgender community; between the elderly and their caretakers; parents, children and/or relatives; sex workers and their pimps/clients; as well as survivors of stalking or trafficking.