What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive or controlling behavior used by one person to gain or maintain power and control over another person in a family, household, or dating relationship. Abuse can take many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, economic, technological, and verbal abuse. Domestic violence does not always involve physical injury. Abuse may be ongoing or may involve a single incident that meets the legal definition of abuse

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 209A, abuse includes:

• Attempting to cause or causing physical harm;
• Placing another person in fear of imminent serious physical harm; or
• Causing another person to engage involuntarily in sexual relations by force, threat of force, or duress; or
• Coercive control

For dating relationships, Massachusetts courts consider factors including the length and type of the relationship, frequency of interaction, and the amount of time that has passed since the relationship ended.

Coercive Control

Massachusetts defines coercive control as certain patterns of behavior intended to threaten, intimidate, harass, isolate, control, coerce, or compel compliance that cause a family or household member to reasonably fear physical harm or experience a reduced sense of physical safety or autonomy. This can include controlling communications, movements, finances, access to services, or activities; isolating someone from support; threatening children or animals; damaging property; or threatening to release sensitive personal information. Mass.gov

Who is Covered Under Massachusetts 209A

• Individuals who are or were married to one another
• Individuals who are or were residing together in the same household
• Individuals who are or were related by blood or marriage (to include grandparents)
• Individuals who have a child in common, regardless of whether they have ever been married or lived together
• Individuals who are or have been in a substantive dating or engagement relationship

Types of Abuse and Examples:

• Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, kicking, grabbing, biting, shoving, choking/strangulation, or other physical violence.
• Sexual Abuse: Unwanted sexual contact, sexual coercion, rape, or forcing a person to engage in sexual activity.
• Emotional/Psychological Abuse: Intimidation, threats, humiliation, stalking, excessive calls or texts, isolation from friends or family, or threats to harm a partner, children, pets, or property.
• Economic Abuse: Restricting access to money, bank accounts, credit, employment, transportation, or other financial resources; controlling financial decisions or assets.
• Technological Abuse: Using phones, social media, GPS/location services, online accounts, or other technology to threaten, control, stalk, harass, impersonate, exploit, or monitor another person.
• Cultural/immigration Abuse: Using a person’s culture, religion, immigration status, or identity as a means of control, including isolating someone from their culture or religion, destroying immigration documents, or threatening deportation
• Coercive Control: Monitoring a person’s movements or communications, controlling finances, access to services, isolating from friends and family or threatening children or pets.

Statistics

Domestic and intimate partner violence affects millions of people in the United States each year. The CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey provides current information regarding the prevalence and health impact of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking.

View current statistics and research:
CDC — Intimate Partner Violence

Domestic Violence Support

🚨 If you are in immediate danger call 911

Safelink Domestic Violence hotline

SafeLink Website

24-7 Hotline (more than 130 languages): 877-785-2020

Statewide domestic violence hotline. Advocates provide confidential support, safety planning, information, and referrals, with interpretation available in more than 130 languages.