Introduction to Domestic Violence and Rape

If you have suffered domestic violence or a sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. You can also contact 911/your local police department to speak to the authorities about filing charges.
Domestic violence is a variety of abuse that occurs within the home, between family members or couples. The typical image of domestic violence involves an adult male perpetrator and a female victim, often his wife or girlfriend. However, there are also women perpetrators of domestic violence, and men are sometimes victims. Really, any violence done by any family or group member towards another could qualify.
Domestic violence may take many forms. Destruction of property, psychological and emotional abuse, and physical and sexual assault are all com...More
Fast Facts: Learn! Fast!
What is domestic violence?
- Domestic violence is a variety of abuse that occurs within the home, between family members or couples.
- Destruction of property, psychological and emotional abuse, and physical and sexual assault are all common forms.
- On the milder but still quite serious side, perpetrators of domestic violence may threaten victims or use verbal put downs and bad name, attempt to publically humiliate them, or play manipulative mind games. Abusers may be act very jealously, and work to control victims' access to family and friends or employment.
- Rape is a crime involving forced sexual activity, usually including sexual penetration, against the will of the victim.
- In addition to the financial and social adjustment difficulties that are often associated with removing one's self from an ongoing abuse situation, survivors of domestic violence or rape can develop emotional and psychological concerns that last well after the physical injuries have healed.
- No matter what type of violence you may have experienced (or are experiencing) or variety of emotional difficulty you may have incurred from such trauma, it is important that you not blame yourself for having been victimized.
- Nobody deserves to be physically, sexually, emotionally, or spiritually abused as a child or as an adult.
- Abusive people are unable or unwilling to effectively control or cope with their own impulses and to respect human dignity and rights.
News Articles
One Type of Injury Should Raise Red Flag for Domestic Violence
As many as one-third of adult women who have a particular fracture to their forearms may be victims of intimate partner violence, according to a new study. More...
Knowing What to Expect May Help After Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is common in America, with an attack occurring every 73 seconds. But having supportive care at the emergency department and afterwards can help heal the trauma, Penn State doctors say. More...
Radiology Study Suggests 'Horrifying' Rise in Domestic Violence During Pandemic
Data from a major Massachusetts hospital found a significant year-over-year jump in intimate partner violence cases among patients -- nearly all women -- who sought emergency care during the COVID-19 pandemic's first few weeks. More...
Domestic Violence May Have Risen Under Stay-at-Home Rules
Domestic violence cases rose after Los Angeles and Indianapolis introduced stay-at-home rules to help stop the spread of COVID-19, researchers say. More...
'She Can't Get Away': U.S. Lockdowns Trigger Surge in Domestic Violence
People sheltering in place to avoid the threat of COVID-19 are finding themselves trapped with a more familiar source of danger -- their own spouse or parent. More...
1 MoreTeen Boys Who Attempt Suicide More Likely to Abuse as Adults
Men with this history are more prone to hit and injure partner, study shows. More...
Resources
Articles
News
- One Type of Injury Should Raise Red Flag for Domestic Violence
- Knowing What to Expect May Help After Sexual Assault
- Radiology Study Suggests 'Horrifying' Rise in Domestic Violence During Pandemic
- Domestic Violence May Have Risen Under Stay-at-Home Rules
- 'She Can't Get Away': U.S. Lockdowns Trigger Surge in Domestic Violence
- Teen Boys Who Attempt Suicide More Likely to Abuse as Adults
Questions and Answers
- Should I Put up With Abuse And Morbid Jealousy?
- The Marriage Corner: Do You Think my Marriage Can be Repaired?
- Will He Hit Me Again???
- Extreme Behavior
- How to Convince my Wife to Seek Help
- Parent Abuse and My Resulting Disorders?
- Abused As A Child and Now It's Ruining My Life
- I Was Living Two Lives.
- Controlling Husband Who Cheated Several Times
- Anger
- 22 more
- Rape victim who cuts and engages in BDSM to self-punish asks, 'Why am I like this?'
- cycle of abuse, but no apologies
- Father is abusing and controlling my mother
- Spousal Abuse and Borderline Personality Disorder
- Living In Fear Of The Next Outburst
- Stalked
- Making Excuses
- What Abuse Looks Like
- A Moth Attracted To Flame
- Mom's Protector
- Harassment Aftermath
- What Abuse Looks Like #1
- Why Was I Raped?
- Is This Abuse?
- Disclosure #1: Healing From Rape
- Stalker
- Are Battered Women Mentally Ill?
- Abusive Boyfriend
- Just Left My Abusive Boyfriend
- Psychotic Ex-Boyfriend
- Abusive Wife
- Raging Bull
Book & Media Reviews
Self-Help Groups
Links
Videos
Topics
Related Topic Centers
Addictions
Aging & Elder Care
Assessments & Interventions
Career & Workplace
Emotional Well-Being
Life Issues
Parenting & Child Care
Abuse
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Adoption
Autism
Child & Adolescent Development: Overview
Child & Adolescent Development: Puberty
Child Development & Parenting: Early (3-7)
Child Development & Parenting: Infants (0-2)
Child Development & Parenting: Middle (8-11)
Child Development & Parenting:Adolescence (12-24)
Child Development Theory: Adolescence (12-24)
Child Development Theory: Middle Childhood (8-11)
Childhood Mental Disorders and Illnesses
Childhood Special Education
Divorce
Family & Relationship Issues
Intellectual Disabilities
Learning Disorders
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Parenting
Self Esteem
Psychological Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Conversion Disorders
Depression: Depression & Related Conditions
Dissociative Disorders
Domestic Violence and Rape
Eating Disorders
Impulse Control Disorders
Intellectual Disabilities
Mental Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
Personality Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Schizophrenia
Sexual Disorders
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
Suicide
Tourettes and other Tic Disorders