Domestic violence is conduct perpetrated by a spouse, family member, or any other person residing in the household. The State does not get involved in domestic violence issues unless the abuser has violated a criminal statute such as assault or battery. Violent events in the household constitute domestic violence if the victim is a family member or lives with the abuser.

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women. Typically a victim is a woman between the ages of 20 and 35. More than three million women are the victims of domestic violence each year.

A Victim's Profile

The victim of domestic violence often lacks self-confidence and self-esteem. It is difficult for the victim of domestic violence to leave the abusive situation because they are often fearful for their lives. The victim is often afraid to leave the abuser due to threats, finances, children, and religious issues. The victim also tends to feel an extreme amount of shame because they often blame themselves for the abuse or for continuing to stay in an abusive relationship.

An Abuser's Profile

The abuser is typically a male spouse or family member. The abuser may also be another individual that resides in the household with the victim. The abuser can be either male or female, however most often the abuser is a male. Some abusers hold stable and respectable jobs and would not appear to have the characteristics that other abusers share. Some characteristics that abusers share include:

• Mental problems.
  
• Emotional problems.
  
• Alcohol or narcotic problems.
  
• Anger management issues.
  
• Unable to hold a job or sustain a career.
  
• Controlling and domineering personality.
  
• Abuser was abused as a child or witnesses domestic violence in the household.

Types of Domestic Violence

When one usually thinks about domestic violence the first thing that may come to one's mind is physical violence. Physical violence is the primary type of domestic violence that most victims endure. There are also other types of domestic violence including:

* Severe degradation.

* Threats on the victim's life or other family members.

* Isolation from friends and family.

* Verbal abuse.

* Emotional abuse.

Remedies for Victims of Domestic Violence

A victim of domestic violence may seek to obtain a personal protection order or permanent or temporary restraining order against the abuser. Each state has different requirements for seeking either a personal protection order or restraining order. However, even if the victim obtains some type of protection or restraining order, the abuser may still continue their abusive behavior. The victim may file assault or battery charges against the abuser. The abuser may be fined or required to serve some jail time depending on the severity of the offense and the abuser's criminal history.

The victim may go to a domestic abuse shelter if she decides to leave the abusive situation. The shelters accept children and permit the victim to stay there for a period of time. Shelters are discrete places that the victim may go. The shelters often have advocates that will assist the victim in filing for protection or restraint orders. The advocates may also assist the victim in filing for divorce, if the victim was married to the abuser.

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