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What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence occurs when one person uses emotional, sexual, and/or physical abuse to gain power and control over someone else. Over time, the abuse will increase in frequency and severity. If there is no intervention, emotional abuse will eventually lead to physical abuse. If someone has been hit once by an abuser, statistics show that he or she will be hit again.

Some examples of crimes involving domestic violence include:

• Assault and reckless endangerment (Physical injury, threats of injury, or acting in a way to create the risk of harm)
• Custodial interference
• Stalking
• Criminal trespass or mischief (entering or staying in a location or residence where the person has no right to be, or harming property or another)
• Theft (taking another’s property)
• Harassment (threatening or repeated or abusive phone calls)