In Women’s Aid’s view domestic viol

In Women’s Aid’s view domestic violence is physical, sexual, psychological or
financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship
and that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. This can
include forced marriage and so-called ‘honour crimes’. Domestic violence
may, and often does, include a range of abusive behaviours, not all of which
are, in themselves, inherently “violent”. Crime statistics and research both
show that domestic violence is gender specific (i.e. most commonly
experienced by women and perpetrated by men) and that any woman can
experience domestic violence regardless of race, ethnic or religious group,
class, disability or lifestyle. Domestic violence is repetitive, life-threatening,
and can destroy the lives of women and children.