About Domestic Violence – Women's Support Center

Most domestic violence relationships don’t start violently.

The dynamics of domestic violence are different from other forms of violence because the abuse occurs at the hands of someone the victim loves and trusts, and is part of a long-term pattern, creating circumstantial dependencies that complicate the victim’s decision to leave.

DV affects people across all socio-economic classes, races, religions and sexual orientations. DV is as serious in rich or educated families.

DV is a repetitive pattern of violence by one intimate partner or relative resulting in control over another intimate partner. Perpetrators use various tactics to control victims, including emotional, physical, sexual and economic abuse.

Many forms of abuse can take place at the same time, such as hitting and emotional abuse, such as threats, belittling, emotional hurt or forcing to take loans or not allowing to work or have any money for necessities. DV occurs in cycles: first is the aggravation, then the physical abuse and then the honeymoon period when the abuser apologizes. This gives hope to the victim that it will not happen again, but DV always repeats.