Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior used by one individual to establish and maintain control over another individual. It is a cycle of violence between family or household members involving physical harm, emotional abuse, sexual assault, or reasonable fear of harm.

The cycle of domestic violence can occur in ANY type of relationship where two (or more) people are related or living together. These relationships include marriages, partnerships, dating relationships, roommates, and blood-related family members (abusers and victims can be parents, children, siblings, grandparents, stepparents, etc).

Perpetrators and victims of domestic violence come from all ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic classes, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, professions, and ages. Domestic violence knows no boundaries.

The Cycle of Violence generally involved 3 phases: tension building, violence, and honeymoon.