Domestic violence (DV) is a pattern of abusive behaviors used by someone to establish power and control over another person in a relationship.

The cycle often repeats with a period of silence, tension builds, and then abuse is inflicted. Perpetrators may be apologetic, but the abuse typically worsens over the cycles.

There are many different types of abuse; it is not just limited to physical violence. The abuse can be verbal, societal, economical, and more.