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What is Domestic Violence?
Violence against women causes more deaths and disability among women aged 15-44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents or war (Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths 1997-1999. DoH 2002)
We are often led to believe that domestic violence always takes the form of a physical assault. Many women are battered, however this is just one aspect of domestic violence. Domestic violence is physical, emotional, psychological or sexual violence, experienced by people in an intimate relationship.
This can range from slaps, kicks, blows, shaking, rape and wounding to murder. It also includes harassment for example, by persistent letters or telephone calls, threats of violence and emotional, psychological or mental abuse. It can include behaviours that are sanctioned by families or those that are called cultural such as forced marriages, honour killings or wife exchanging.
It can include threatened deportation, being forced into prostitution, being called a bad mother, intimidating or humiliating behaviour, being kept a prisoner in your own home or being cut off from family and friends.
Most domestic violence is directed by men against women, within a heterosexual or family relationship. However domestic violence can be perpetrated in same sex relationships or in a general family context and in some cases, by women against men.