Domestic Violence Facts & Resources
Domestic Violence:
A pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.
- Can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, spiritual or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.
- Dating violence is a form of domestic violence.
- Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or socio-economic class. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.
- May culminate in serious physical injury or death.
Legal Definition of Domestic Violence
“An act or threatened act of violence upon a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence also includes any other crime against a person or against property, including an animal, when used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge directed against a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship.” CRS 18-6-800
What is an “Intimate Relationship”?
“Intimate relationship” means a relationship between spouses, former spouses, past or present unmarried couples, or persons who are both the parents of the same child, regardless of whether the persons have been married or have lived together at any time.” Section 18-6-800.3 (2)
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