ABSTRACT

Violence within intimate relationships is remarkably common, with both men and women as the perpetrators. The different forms it can take are discussed together with a range of different explanations for its causes. Domestic violence occurs in all types of intimate relationships, whether heterosexual or homosexual and in all cultures and socioeconomic classes. It is perpetrated by both men and women; however, the majority of cases involve male perpetrators and female victims. However, any estimates of the prevalence of domestic violence have to be treated with caution. Risk assessment in cases of domestic violence can be defined as trying to identify those victims who are most at risk of experiencing violence in the future. The variety of risk markers and the general lack of information regarding risk markers for specific incidents of spouse abuse make it quite difficult for professionals to confidently evaluate the dangerousness of a particular person or situation.