03/18/09
Report
This discussion paper examines the various types of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a broad category that has come to include many kinds of violence and behaviors within relationships between intimate partners and, in most states, relationships between family and other household members. The term domestic violence tends to focus attention on acts of physical violence and obscure attention to ongoing coercion, intimidation, and emotional harm. The lack of distinction about the type and intent of violence has led to a generic response that fails to make critical distinctions in its deliberations and actions on behalf of the state.