What is Domestic Violence?

A pattern of violence or intimidation in an intimate relationship by one intimate partner against another, designed to establish power and control over the victim. Domestic violence may be physical, sexual, and/or psychological abuse or assaults.

We are working to remove domestic violence from our social customs and institutions. Some men believe they are entitled to use physical or sexual violence. Physical violence is seen as a way to create and maintain power and control.

Dynamics of Domestic Violence

Power and control are central to the issue of domestic violence. Tactics used to establish control include economic abuse, emotional abuse, isolation and threats, particularly around the woman's fear of losing custody of the children. Other tactics are isolation, minimizing, denying and refusing to take responsibility for his actions, e.g., "look what you made me do."