ABSTRACT
Domestic abuse-also referred to as domestic violence and intimate partner violence-is a pattern o f behaviors used by one person to main tain power and control over another person in certain types of rela tionships. Relationships can be current or previous, familial or non-familial, including parent/child, spousal, intimate partner (dating), and having child(ren) in common-but not acquaintances or friendships. The theoretical explanations and treatment options vary greatly depend ing upon the type of domestic abuse. Therefore, this chapter will focus on a critical examination of intimate partner (spousal, ex-spousal, dat ing, and formerly dating) relationships.
