Domestic Abuse (DA), also referred to as Domestic Violence (DV) or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), is a pattern of behavior resulting in emotional or psychological abuse, economic control, or interference with personal liberty directed toward a person who is:

• A current or former spouse;

• Person with whom the alleged abuser shares a child in common;

• Current or former intimate partner with whom the alleged abuser shares or has shared a common domicile; or

• Person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the accused and determined to be an intimate partner

Abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of personal characteristics. 

Domestic abuse refers to acts of violence, threats of violence, or intimidation against one’s spouse, intimate partner, dating partner, or an immediate family member of that person. Recognizing the different types of abuse equips you to respond effectively. 

Different types of abuse may include:

• Physical Abuse
• Emotional Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Financial Abuse
• Online Abuse
• Sexual and Reproductive Coercion
• Stalking Abuse

To learn more about these types of abuse, please visit the types of abuse page on the National Domestic Violence Hotline.  

Identifying and recognizing abuse may be the first step to getting the help you need. There are numerous warning signs, and they may appear differently depending on your specific experience. To check out the list of warning signs and learn how to contact someone for 24/7 help, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline's warning signs page here.

If you are concerned about your relationship, or you think it might need some improvement and you are worried you may be exhibiting some unhealthy behaviors, you can watch the Military OneSource video on self-awareness and identifying your actions. You are not alone, and resources are available to help you.

A safety plan is a unique tool intended to help you and assess your safety. You do not have to create your safety plan alone. The DAVA can assist you with a verbal and/or written safety plan based on your immediate needs and identified risk factors that include practical and actional steps to address your concerns. The DAVA will encourage you to keep this document in a safe and secure location where the person harming you will not have access to it. (The DAVA will only develop a child safety plan in the presence of the parent receiving DAVA services). You can also use your local Family Advocacy Program office, which will connect you with an advocate to create a safety plan. Creating a safety plan through FAP or with the assistance of an advocate will not automatically trigger an investigation.

There are also online resources to help you prepare your safety plan:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• Love is Respect
 

Everyone deserves healthy relationships. Healthy relationships require open and honest communication, mutual trust and respect, quality time together, and the ability to set and respect each other’s boundaries. For more information on how to build healthy relationships, visit the Hotline’s Healthy Relationships page or Military OneSource Better Relationships Within Reach.

Promoting healthy, respectful, and nonviolent relationships and communities can help reduce the occurrence of interpersonal and self-directed violence (ISDV). It can also help prevent the harmful and long-lasting effects of ISDV on individuals, families, and communities. For more information on violence prevention visit the CDC’s website.

Adult victims of domestic abuse have two reporting options through the Family Advocacy Program, unrestricted reporting and restricted reporting, and each come with different benefits and limitations. 

You can speak to a Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate (DAVA) to understand the available options while deciding your reporting preference. The DAVA will help you consider different aspects of your situation and the options that may be available with each, which may include: 

•  Your safety if staying or preparing to leave the relationship
•  Emergency housing options
•  Potential expedited transfer
•  Safety with a potential protection order
•  Safety during court or legal proceedings
•  Safety on the job or in public
•  Safety with technology and social media
•  Financial safety, emotional safety
•  Safety for children involved
•  Identification of support systems in both the civilian and military communities.

If a Service member or eligible adult dependent was sexually assaulted by a dating partner, they have the option of reporting to FAP or the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) office unless specific criteria are present that warrant exclusive support from FAP. Regardless of which office the victim goes to, SAPR and FAP personnel will collaborate with the victim, assess safety, and prioritize victim-centered care and preferences to determine which program will facilitate ongoing support and case management. For more information about the SAPR program or to locate a SAPR victim advocate near you, visit the SAPR page.