Types of Domestic Violence



These photos illustrate the different types of domestic violence against women, men, teens, and children. Click on the related photo for more information related to different forms of abuse that occur for each group.

Other useful information for helping in particular types of domestic violence cases:

Teen Dating Violence Help

Resources and guidance for keeping teens safe in dating relationships and where to get help for teen dating violence. "Break the Cycle" and "Love Is Respect Org" are two of the leading, national nonprofits working to end teen dating violence and abuse. Over a million teens in the United States experience physical abuse from dating violence every year.


Domestic Violence in Marriage Involving Religion

Guidance on the use of religion as justification for control and abuse and what to do about this type of domestic violence. Societies organized by religious culture often adopt patriarchal attitudes that contribute to the psychological pressures on men that lead to a cycle of abuse.


What to Do About Children and Domestic Violence

When kids are exposed to abuse of a parent or family member, the effect can last a lifetime and cause irreparable psychological and emotional harm. Intervention is needed as soon as possible to avoid young people from become perpetrators themselves as they become adults.


Same Sex Domestic Violence

Homosexual partners should not tolerate abuse any more than heterosexual partners. The status of having a same sex relationship should not deter an abused intimate partner, whether male or female, from seeking immediate help and intervention. However, the pressures from society are different for these homosexual couples, sometime making it even more emotionally difficult to reach out for help. Also, the programs available are more scarce than those for heterosexual women.


20 Ways to Reduce Family Domestic Violence

Is it time for an intervention? If any form of verbal, emotional or physical abuse has occurred, then the time is now. Review these 20 tips for reducing the likelihood of further violence. Act quickly to avoid disaster.


How to Tell If It Is Abuse?

Recognize the signs of domestic abuse. In addition to physical abuse, other forms such as verbal abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and even sexual abuse will occur in marriages. Blame is often transferred to the victim, and fear may cause a spouse to keep the truth hidden from friends and family.

The forms of domestic abuse by definition are physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual, and include sub-categories like financial. However, the types of domestic violence also vary because of differences in our intimate relationships.

For instance, a married spouse faces a series of presumptions, problems, fears and responses because of the spousal status that a unmarried victim of abuse does not have to contend with. Likewise, a person with children risks not only his or her self, but also their dependents when involved in an abusive relationship.

Be prepared when giving or getting domestic violence help to understand and deal with the unique circumstances of differing relationships and types of domestic violence listed above.

According to recent research by Michael P. Johnson of Pennsylvania State University, there are four major classes of domestic violence. These are:

  • Common Couple Violence (CCV)
  • Intimate Terrorism (IT)
  • Violent Resistance (VR), and
  • Mutual Violent Control (MVC)

Wikipedia provides more information and citations to follow-up research that confirms the theories of Johnson.

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