Intimate partner abuse is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that can include physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse and/or financial abuse (using money and financial tools to exert control).
Batterers can make it very difficult for victims to escape relationships. This can cause many survivors of intimate partner abuse to suffer from abuse for decades. It’s important for survivors to know that the abuse is not their fault, that they are not alone, and that help is available.