What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse, threats, intimidation, isolation, or economic coercion used by one person to exert power and control over another person in the context of a dating, family, or household relationship.

Domestic violence is the leading cause of non-fatal, violence-related injury to women of all ages in the U.S.

---Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 2003

During the first three months of 2006, the Chicago Police Department received an average of 533 calls a day asking for help in cases of domestic violence.

---Chicago Police Department Quarterly Domestic Violence Statistical Summary, YTD March 2006