Terminology

Advocate

A trained professional who provides support, information, and assistance to people experiencing domestic violence. May also be a community organizer, policymaker, or other participant in the movement to end domestic violence.

Child custody

Legal terms that define the responsibilities of each parent toward their child, including where the child will live and who will make major decisions about the child’s welfare

Crisis intervention

Emergency response and intervention services provided to people experiencing domestic violence to ensure their immediate safety and provide necessary support and resources.

Cycle of abuse

A pattern of behavior in abusive relationships that includes a tension-building phase, an acute or battering incident, and a honeymoon phase.

Domestic violence (DV)

A pattern of behavior in any relationship used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. This includes physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats.

Economic abuse

Making or attempting to make a person financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding access to money, or forbidding attendance at school or employment. Also called financial abuse.

Emotional abuse

Non-physical behaviors such as threats, insults, constant monitoring, or gaslighting that harm another person’s self-worth or emotional well-being.

Empowerment

Helping survivors of domestic violence regain control over their lives by providing resources, support, and tools necessary to take independent decisions.

Gaslighting

A form of psychological manipulation in which a person makes someone question their own memory, perception, or sanity.

Intimate partner violence (IPV)

Abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship. It can involve current or former spouses and dating partners.

Isolation

A tactic to control and limit a person’s interactions with the outside world, to increase dependency and reduce the likelihood of seeking help.

Mandatory reporting

Legal requirement that certain professionals, such as teachers, report suspected cases of abuse and neglect to protective services.

No-contact order

A legal order issued by a court to prevent an abuser from contacting a survivor, directly or indirectly. See also: Restraining order

Perpetrator

A legal term for an individual who commits acts of domestic violence against a partner or family member. Alternative terms include abuser, harm doer, person who caused harm.

Physical abuse

The use of physical force against someone in a way that injures or endangers that person. Examples include hitting, kicking, biting, or restraining.

Protective custody

A legal status where a person (often a child) is taken into the protection of the state due to risk or harm at home.

Psychological abuse

Involves causing fear through intimidation, threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner’s family or friends, destruction of pets and property, and forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and work.

Restorative justice

An approach to justice that focuses on accountability and rehabilitation. It aims to repair the harm caused by a crime and can involve all stakeholders in the process. Restorative practices are often used in educational settings and may, at a survivor's discretion, be appropriate in healing from domestic violence.

Restraining order

A court order intended to protect a person from further harm by someone who has hurt them. It can include provisions like staying away from the victim, no contact, or moving out of a shared home.

Safety plan

A personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after leaving an abusive relationship.

Sexual abuse

Forcing a partner to take part in a sex act when they do not consent. This includes marital rape, forcing sex after physical violence, or treating someone in a sexually demeaning manner.

Shelter

Safe, confidential housing provided to survivors of domestic violence and their children to escape from an abusive situation.

Stalking

Repeated, unwanted attention and contact by a partner that causes fear or concern for someone’s own safety or the safety of someone close to them.

Survivor

An individual who has lived through and escaped from an abusive situation and is working toward recovery and rebuilding their life.

Trauma-informed care

An approach to care that acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma on a person and integrates knowledge about trauma into practices and policies to avoid re-traumatization.

Trust

The reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, or surety of a person or thing; in the context of domestic violence, trust can be a critical aspect of healing and forming healthy relationships post-abuse.

Victim blaming

Holding the person who experienced domestic violence responsible for the abuse they have endured.