Terms which emerged in the professional literature as descriptors of chronic and episodic patterns of abuse, ranging from harsh criticism to aggressive brutality, between adults in intimate relationships.

Unlike other forms of aggression, it often features the unfortunate yet compelling elements of intergenerational and gender-specific traditions promoted w/in a family or a community.

Intimate Partner/Domestic Violence

Intimate partner violence includes 3 forms of victimization:

1. Adult Partner Abuse

2. Child Abuse

3. Elder/Dependent Abuse

Acts such as Child Abuse and Elder Abuse are actually forms of domestic violence, though they are typically distinguished in ________ and ________ legal mandates that compel action on the part of therapists in order to protect those who may be unable to protect themselves. The distinction has been a myth of equality.

• Duty to Warn
• Duty to Protect

3 dimensions of domestic violence identified as the basis for distinguishing subtypes of offenders:

1. Severity of Violence (e.g. shoving, severe brutality)

2. Generality of Violence (i.e. violence toward partner or toward others)

3. Presence/Absence of Psychopathology/Personality Disorders

Discussions of the origins of domestic violence consider co-occurring or contributing factors/conditions, both psychological/experiential and environmental in nature, that may promote or sustain such patterns, including a history of: (5)

a) Physical Abuse

b) Psychological Maltreatment

c) Sexual Abuse

d) Neglect

e) Witnessing Violence