Domestic Violence/Partner Violence

Domestic violence is a frequent, harmful, and costly form of interpersonal aggression that occurs in virtually all parts of the world. Although domestic violence can occur at any age, such as the abuse of one older adult partner by another, younger women, aged 20–24, and pregnant women are at highest risk for domestic violence, with prevalence statistics declining with age. The effects of being a survivor of domestic violence or a witness to domestic violence as a child can last a lifetime. Without intervention, the cycle of violence may be continued from one generation to the next in the form of dating violence, domestic abuse, or child maltreatment. This entry begins with definitions of domestic violence/partner violence and provides data on violence frequency and prevalence. ...