1. Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior used to establish power and control over an intimate partner through physical, psychological, emotional, verbal, sexual, and/or economic abuse. 2. Abusive relationships can develop gradually through a cycle of good times combined with subtle abusive acts that allow the abuser to gain control over the victim. 3. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the US, affecting millions of women and children each year and costing over $5 billion annually.