Domestic Violence

The ways in which domestic violence is defined vary as much as the people who are the perpetrators and victims of domestic violence. Broadly speaking, domestic violence can refer to any verbally or [Page 274]physically aggressive act committed within the context of a close interpersonal or familial relationship. This definition would include violence perpetrated from a husband against a wife, an adult child toward his or her mother, or even aggression between siblings. However, domestic violence more commonly refers to physical or psychological aggression committed by an intimate partner such as a husband, wife, girlfriend, or boyfriend against another intimate partner. Because of the prevalence of domestic violence in society, professionals are increasingly being confronted with the problem in schools, the legal system, and the ...