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What is domestic violence? There are many definitions of domestic violence used across the Department of Human Services. Some are in statute and others are definitions used in practice. All include forms of physical injury/abuse, sexual abuse, intimidation, verbal abuse and emotional abuse or threats of such. These tactics are used by one adult to coerce or control another.When these acts are committed by a spouse, ex-spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, ex-boyfriend/girlfriend, or date, they are referred to as intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence and domestic violence are present in all cultures, ages, socio-economic classes, and communities of faith. In DHS we recognize that many families experience domestic violence and it is a contributing factor to the need for a number of publicly and privately financed social services. In this section of our Web site you'll find the following information: Brochures. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the safety plan brochure can help you plan how to help yourself be safe. Some of these brochures still have names of old DHS divisions, but the content is still valid. For a list of organizations that help victims of domestic violence, check out the Oregon guide to domestic violence services. A similar list provides a link to the domestic violence organizations in Oregon and nationally. Check out the Laws and policies that govern our work. Tools for policymakers offers legislators, program managers and others information about how the department approaches domestic violence programs at the state and local levels. Intimate partner violence versus domestic violence. In general these terms mean about the same thing. Intimate partner violence is a more broad term, referring to violence that happens between people who are close to one another but don't necessarily live in the same household. On this Web site we have elected to use the more commonly used term "domestic violence" for our general information for the public and DHS staff and providers. We use the term "intimate partner violence" for our injury prevention data collection and education information geared more to epidemiologists and health care professionals. Back to top |
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