Intimate Partner Violence

Need Help?

If you are in immediate danger, CALL 911

NYS Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-942-6906

In Spanish
1-800-942-6908

Victim Resources

If you are a victim of intimate partner violence seeking information, resources and support, visit:

"Domestic Violence" and "Intimate Partner Violence" are terms that are often used interchangeably. Domestic Violence (DV) can be used to describe any abuse that occurs within the context of one's home or family. OASAS uses the more specific term Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) as defined by the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV):

Intimate Partner Violence is a pattern of coercive tactics, which can include physical, psychological, sexual, economic and emotional abuse, perpetrated by one person against an adult intimate partner, with the goal of establishing and maintaining power and control over the victim.

Intimate Partner includes persons legally married to one another; persons formerly married to one another; persons who have a child in common, regardless of whether such persons are married or have lived together at any time, couples who are in an "intimate relationship" including but not limited to couples who live together or have lived together, or persons who are dating or who have dated in the past, including same sex couples.

Intimate partner violence is not about out of control anger or behavior. Intimate partner violence is about power and control. Although there may be relationships in which intimate partners communicate in ways seem unhealthy, abusive and even violent, if there is not an imbalance of power and an effort by one partner to establish and maintain control over the other, it is not intimate partner violence.

Tools that illustrate controlling vs. non-controlling relationships:

Power and Control Wheel can be used to help identify common tactics used and recognize abuse
Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Bisexual, Queer (LGBTQ) Power and Control Wheel - Can be used to help identify common tactics and behaviors and recognize abuse in LGBT relationships.
LGBTQ Domestic Violence Information Guide - OPDV publication that outlines characteristics unique to intimate partner violence in the LGBTQ community.
Equality Wheel shows a model for non-controlling relationships

A resource offered by NYS OPDV that all providers should consider having available to individuals and families participating in prevention, treatment and recovery services:

Domestic Violence: Finding Safety & Support: Understanding the Problem (English version) - Comprehensive guide for survivors and helpers with up-to-date information about adult domestic violence, safety planning, and getting help from domestic violence services, the police, and the courts by the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. Also available in:
- Arabic
- Russian
- Spanish

Additional IPV Resources:

Child Welfare Information Gateway - Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence
Injury Center: Violence Prevention - Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Intimate Partner Violence (Domestic Violence) - NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (NYS OPDV)
New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV)
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)
Violence Against Women - Resource on Womenshealth.gov - Empowering women to live healthier lives a project of the US Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health