一种虐待行为模式，用于在浪漫或亲密的社会关系中对现任或前任伴侣施加权力或控制. 这些行为可能包括, 但并不局限于身体上, emotional, sexual, verbal or economic abuse; threats of abuse; and acts that intimidate, isolate, manipulate, humiliate, coerce, frighten, 责备或伤害一个人. Patterns indicative of domestic violence may include consistent tension in the household; explosive outbursts of verbal, emotional and/or physical abuse; and repeated apologies where the abuser shifts the blame for their behavior.