What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is defined by the relationship of the victim to the defendant, not by crime committed; it includes any harmful physical act, or threat thereof, occurring between current or former family and household members, sexual or intimate partners (including homosexual partners). Domestic violence generally represents a pattern of behavior rather than a single isolated incident. This pattern can take on many forms, all of them involving physical violence or threats of physical violence. The pattern almost always includes emotional, sexual, and economic abuse as well.