Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior that one person in a relationship uses to gain power and control over the other person in the relationship.

Domestic violence abuse is not caused by anger, mental problems, alcohol or other drugs, or other common excuses. It is caused by one person’s belief that they have the right to control their partner.

When one person scares, hurts, or continually puts down the other person, it is abuse. It is characterized by the pattern of actions that an individual uses to intentionally control or dominate their intimate partner. See the ‘Power and Control Wheel’ That is why the words “power and control” are in the center of the wheel. An abuser systematically uses threats, intimidation, and coercion to instill fear in their partner. These behaviors are the spokes of the wheel. Physical and sexual violence holds it all together—this violence is the rim of the wheel.