First of all, domestic violence is a crime.

Domestic violence occurs when one member of a household  uses his or her violent and/or abusive behavior in order to control and dominate another household member. The behavior can include any one or more of the following:

*Physical abuse

*Damage to property

*Sexual abuse

*Verbal abuse

*Financial abuse

*Harassment or intimidation

*Or the threat of any of the above

Domestic violence is not limited to just spousal abuse, but can also include child abuse and abuse of the elderly.

No person has the right to use violent and/or abusive behavior in order to control another individual.