Domestic abuse is defined as any repeated pattern of behavior that is intentionally hurtful, aggressive, violent or destructive, and is used to gain or maintain power or control over an intimate partner or family members. This behavior is learned, can be intergenerational in families, and is complicated by mental health, chemical use, and experiences of trauma or significant distress.

FAQ's:

• Learned strategies for communication, connection and conflict resolution motivated by the need to gain or maintain power and control.
• The behavior is intentional, and that intention is to hurt.
• The hurt can be emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, financial or technological. 
• People using abuse in their relationships are also frequently experiencing:
  • Negative or distorted core beliefs about themselves and others 
  • Ineffective and unhealthy emotional regulation or self-care coping mechanisms
  • Poor insight and self-awareness
• Abuse can be complicated and exacerbated by:
  • Personal or generational experiences of trauma
  • Mental health issues
  • Chemical use and /substance abuse
  • Significant or unstable basic needs.
• Abuse is cyclical in relationships, and informs the predictable communication and relational patterns that exists within families
• Those who chose to abuse often experience significant shame and fear, and have come to believe their behaviors are effective in managing those feelings. 

Family violence and domestic abuse occurs within urban and rural communities and does not discriminate against socio-economic status, sexual orientation, religious or cultural identity, ethnicity, or age.