Abuse can happen to anyone of any age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or gender. Abuse can affect people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. It has no boundaries. Abuse can happen in many forms. Violence and Abuse in Intimate Partner Relationships happen when a person deliberately harms their intimate partner through verbal, physical, emotional, psychological, or sexualized ways. Violence and Abuse in other Relationships happens when a person uses abuse or violence in family relationships, in friendships, at work, school or at home.
Abuse is a repetitive pattern of behaviors to maintain power and control over an intimate partner. While we often assume that abuse is physical, there are in fact many forms of domestic violence. Some are less obvious and difficult to see but are no less devastating. Many of these different forms of abuse can be going on at any one time. Abuse often occurs by a person known to the other person.