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Shelter Worker Response
Domestic violence is a pattern of intentional coercive behaviors that involves physical abuse or the threat of physical abuse and is used to gain or maintain control in a relationship. This behavior arouses fear and prevents the victim from doing what s/he wishes or forces the victim to behave in ways s/he doesn’t want to behave. Domestic violence is also commonly referred to as spouse abuse, battering, partner abuse and wife beating, among other terms.
Domestic violence is perpetrated by adults or adolescents against their intimate partners in current or former dating, married or cohabiting relationships of heterosexuals, gay men, lesbians, bi-sexual and transgendered people. People of all cultures, races, occupations, income levels, religions and ages suffer from domestic violence.
Karen Parker Thompson, Director, Domestic Violence Services, United Family Services, Charlotte, NC
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