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Definition of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks, as well as economic coercion, that adults or adolescents use against their intimate partner.

Domestic violence is:

  • A pattern of behaviors including a variety of tactics – some physically injurious and some not, some criminal and some not – carried out in multiple, sometimes daily episodes.
  • A combination of physical force and terror used by the perpetrator that causes physical and psychological harm to the victim and children.
  • A pattern of purposeful behavior, directed at achieving compliance from or control over the victim.
  • Behaviors perpetrated by adults or adolescents against their intimate partner in current or former dating, married, or cohabiting relationships.



P.O. Box 295 - Sioux Center, Iowa 51250
712.722.4404 - Administrative Number: 712.722.4483 - Fax: 712.722.4407
1-800-382-5603