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Domestic violence occurs when a family member, partner or ex-partner attempts to physically or psychologically dominate or harm the other.
Estimates are that only about a third of cases of domestic violence are actually reported in the US. In other places where there has been less attention and less support, reported cases would be still lower.
Domestic violence occurs in all cultures, people of all races, ethnicities, and religions can be perpetrators of domestic violence. Domestic violence is
perpetrated by, and on, both men and women, and occurs in same-sex and opposite-sex relationships.
Domestic violence has many forms, including physical violence, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, intimidation, economic deprivation or threats of violence. There are a number of dimensions:
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Mode - physical, psychological, sexual and/or social
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Frequency - one off, occasional, chronic
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Severity – in terms of both psychological or physical harm and the need for treatment – transitory or permanent injury – mild, moderate, severe up to homicide
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