Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

D–E
domestic violence Actions and behaviors that
use aggression, threats, and fear to control
another person in a household or partner relationship
such as a marriage or dating. Domestic VIO-
LENCE has health as well as legal ramifications. In
the United States, state laws define the parameters
of behaviors that constitute domestic violence.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline—1-800-799-SAFE
(7233)—is available
tollfree, 24 hours a day, seven days
a week, from anywhere in the United
States.
Each year more than four million American
women seek medical care for injuries resulting
from domestic violence. However, either partner
may be the abuser. Domestic violence can exist in
any domestic partnership, including marriage,
nonmarried partners, same-sex partners, and dating.
Surveys among American high school and
college students suggest violence among dating
couples, such as hitting and forced sex, is a serious
issue.
Signs and indications of domestic violence in a
partnership may be emotional, psychologic, physical,
or a combination. Such signs may include
• acts abusively or forcefully in sexual situations;
demeans partner
• persistently yells or argues; breaks items in the
house
The priority in domestic violence is for the
abused person to get away from the situation,
which is often difficult. There are the emotional
ties of the relationship, however dysfunctional, as
well as the practical matters of resources and
where to go. Some people are able to go temporarily
to the homes of other family members or
friends, though sometimes others who know of
the violence are reluctant to become involved.
More often the circumstance is that the abused
person has told no one of the situation and is not
willing to do so until a crisis precipitates action.
Most communities have public and private agencies
and services to support people who are
leaving circumstances of domestic violence. Permanent
solutions in circumstances of persistent or
severe domestic violence are difficult and often
require filing appropriate criminal charges against
the abuser as well as relocating and re-establishing
work and life.
See also ANGER AND ANGER MANAGEMENT; CHILD
ABUSE; ELDER ABUSE.
• behaves in a jealous and possessive manner
• attempts to isolate partner from family and
friends or monitor visits and activities
• controls finances and other resources such as
car keys
• constantly criticizes, uses name calling, and
humiliates
• threatens or carries out physical harm to partner,
children, friends, or pets
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elder abuse Actions by caregivers and family
members that endanger the health, well-being,
and life of an older person. Many though not all
older people who are in situations of abuse are
weak or debilitated and depend on those who
abuse them, making escape from the abuse difficult
or impossible. Elder abuse affects more than
two million older adults in the United States each
year. There are four basic types of elder abuse: