Spouse or Partner Violence refers to what type of actions?

Spouse or Partner Violence primarily refers to nonaccidental acts that result in physical harm to a partner. This concept encompasses a range of behaviors, including physical assaults that are intentional and aimed at causing injury or pain. This type of violence is not classified as accidental; rather, it stems from a desire to exert control or dominance over the partner.

While emotional abuse, such as verbal arguments that evoke fear, and financial exploitation can be serious forms of abuse and manipulation in intimate relationships, they do not necessarily meet the criteria for physical violence as defined in the context of spouse or partner violence. Therefore, the focus here is specifically on the physical aspects of violence, highlighting that the actions are intended and not incidental. This distinction is crucial in understanding the full scope of abusive behaviors within intimate partnerships.