What does domestic violence include?

Domestic violence encompasses a broad range of behaviors and actions that occur within intimate relationships, making the choice that identifies various offenses within such relationships the most accurate. This includes not only physical assaults but also emotional abuse, psychological manipulation, financial control, sexual violence, and threats of violence.

The term "domestic violence" is not limited to any one form of abuse—it can manifest in many different ways that threaten the safety or well-being of individuals in intimate relationships. By recognizing that it includes various offenses, the definition acknowledges the complexity and multifaceted nature of domestic violence, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding that is fundamental for law enforcement and legal practice.

In contrast, focusing on only physical assaults, only threats of violence, or only emotional abuse fails to capture the entirety of what domestic violence entails, which may prevent proper identification and intervention in cases of abuse that do not fit those specific categories. Recognizing the array of possible abusive behaviors helps in applying appropriate measures to protect affected individuals and hold perpetrators accountable.