Domestic abuse (also called intimate partner violence, domestic abuse, dating violence, spousal abuse, and intimate partner abuse) is any form of maltreatment that takes place in romantic relationship between adults or adolescents.

It’s everyone’s job to prevent abuse. That is why you need to know its signs so you can help stop the abuse of a friend, a family member, even a stranger. The more we talk about domestic violence, the more likely it becomes that we build awareness, identify abusive behaviors, and take action to prevent harm to people in our communities.