Understanding Domestic Abuse

What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse refers to the victimization of and individual or individuals resulting from perpetual violence, harassment, or assault undertaken by their respective partners within the realm of a romantic relationship.

In a more simplistic sense; however Domestic abuse is difficult to address, as a result of the many natures of abuse--domestic abuse may not only take place within a variety settings, but also through the involvement of a vast array of individuals victimized; domestic abuse can take place between married couples, intimate partners or individuals sharing a residence.

What is Domestic abuse Victimization?

Domestic abuse victimization is defined as both the nature and classification with regard to the individual victims of domestic abuse offenses. Studies undertaking the investigation of the identification of domestic abuse victims cite women as accounting for almost 85% of domestic abuse victims. To elaborate this statistic, women between the ages of 20 and 24 are considered to account for the majority of domestic abuse victims.

Physical Domestic Abuse Defined:

Domestic abuse taking place on a physical level may include any of the following natures of violence or harassment facilitated by the abusive party:

Physical abuse is defined as damage, harm, or injury enacted upon one individual onto another individual or entity

Aggravated physical abuse is defined as the use of a deadly weapon to cause harm, damage, or injury with regard to another individual or entity

Domestic Abuse on an Emotional and Psychological Level:

Domestic abuse, which takes place on both psychological and emotional level, may include any of the following natures of harassment facilitated by the aggressive party:

Emotional and Psychological domestic abuse can include threats, which are defined as the unlawful, conditional expressions of criminal or negative recourse contingent on the behavior of the recipient of the threat itself. This aspect of emotional and psychological domestic abuse is typically extortive in nature; the more serious aspect of threats; however, include aggravated threats include threats posed resulting in murder, rape, or maiming.

Domestic Abuse in a Sexual Nature:

Domestic abuse of a sexual nature refers to a forced act of a sexual nature that is placed on of the partners. Spousal rape, for example, is the act of forced, non-consensual intercourse enacted by a partner of a romantic relationship onto the other; regardless of the participation within a romantic relationship, the severity of a spousal rape offense is considered to be analogous to a standard rape charge.

In addition to physical contact of a sexual nature, domestic abuse in this classification can include verbal and psychological abuse, which is defined as both speech and expressions set forth, typically demeaning, insulting, damaging, or threatening in nature.

What to do if you are a victim of Domestic Violence?

If you are a victim of domestic violence, it is strongly recommended that you seek aid through a Domestic Violence assistance program or organization. These groups will provide helpful and preventative resources that are available for victims of domestic violence. Furthermore, if you are a victim of domestic abuse, you must contact your local authorities or law enforcement department in order to report the details of the offense:

A multitude of resources and assistance exist; please contact the appropriate government department, such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline through their 24-hour telephone number: (800) 799-7233

Individuals are also given the opportunity to report Domestic Violence offenses in an anonymous fashion; remember, no one deserves to be victimized by Domestic Violence

NEXT: What is Domestic Violence