Definitions and Terminology of Domestic Violence

The following resources provide information on definitions, terminology, and the overall scope of domestic violence.

Child Protection in Families Experiencing Domestic Violence (2nd ed.)

Author(s)	Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children's Bureau Selleck, Kristen.;Newman, Jeannie.;Gilmore, Debra.
Availability	View Download (PDF - 1,670KB)
Year Published	2018

Research shows that children exposed to domestic violence are at increased risk of being abused or neglected. This manual discusses the intersection of child maltreatment and domestic violence with a focus on child protection practice.

Definitions of Domestic Violence

Series Title	State Statutes
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 585KB)
Year Published	2018

Provides an overview of both civil and criminal definitions of domestic violence. The definition often varies depending on the context in which the term is used. Statutory definitions across the states generally describe specific conduct or acts that are subject to civil and criminal actions, and the specific language used may vary depending on whether the definition is found in the civil or criminal sections of the state's code. Summaries of laws for all states and territories are included.

Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women's Health
Provides a definition of domestic violence and intimate partner violence and offers resources on signs of abuse, how to leave an abusive relationship, getting a restraining order, effects on children, and more.

Domestic Violence
Psychology Today
Offers a definition of domestic violence and what constitutes abuse. The website also provides information on how abuse impacts victims, how to identify an abusive partner, how survivors of abuse cope, and fighting against domestic violence.

Domestic Violence
U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women
Defines domestic violence and provides resources including hotlines to call for help and additional informative resources.

Domestic Violence/Domestic Abuse Definitions and Relationships
National Conference of State Legislatures (2020)
Presents a chart that displays information on State domestic violence definitions and provisions that may include talking, harassment, and in some cases, nonphysical abuse. States have also addressed the issue of child witnessing of domestic violence.

Economic Empowerment Strategies for Women: Glossary of Terms
Battered Women's Support Services (2020)
Lists terms relating to violence against women and economic empowerment. The glossary consists of two parts: (1) focusing on domestic violence and (2) focusing on financial terms women should understand.

Glossary of Terminology
Shine the Light Foundation
Offers a glossary of some commonly used terms relating to domestic violence.

Intimate Partner Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2015)
Helps individuals and organizations gather surveillance data on intimate partner violence by providing recommendations for consistent definitions and data elements.

Understand Relationship Abuse
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Defines domestic violence and discusses the use of physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse, and economic deprivation. The website uses the Power & Control wheel as a visual to describe most accurately what occurs in an abusive relationship.

What is the Definition of Domestic Violence?
FindLaw (2020)
Provides a definition of domestic violence and discusses types of abuse such as physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, threats, and stalking. The website also describes dating violence.

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