Domestic abuse occurs when one person in an intimate
relationship or marriage attempts to use force, dominate, or
control the other person. Domestic abuse that includes physical
violence is also referred to as “domestic violence”. Domestic
violence and abuse are used to gain and maintain total control
over the victim—abusers use guilt, shame, fear, and intimidation
tactics to wear a victim down. In many instances, abusers may
threaten, hurt, and intimidate a victim’s loved ones. Domestic
violence and abuse does not discriminate—it happens among both
heterosexual and same-sex partnerships within all age ranges,
economic levels, and ethnic backgrounds. Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault in Massachusetts - More than 33,000 women and
children are served by domestic violence programs in
Massachusetts on average every year. - 2,500 sexual assaults
were reported to rape crisis centers in Massachusetts in 2010. -
11% of Massachusetts’ adults report having experienced some form
of sexual violence in their lifetime.