Would you call it Domestic Violence or Domestic Abuse?

I often get into conversations with my network on the terminology we use to define our experiences with abuse. And as much as there isn't a workbook to properly define the terms, I can tell you that most likely we don't like to talk about domestic violence, but prefer domestic abuse. And let me tell you why.

Domestic Violence vs Domestic Abuse

The terms domestic violence and domestic abuse are usually used interchangeably, but they can have slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Labelling it as violence suggests a physical dimension, whereas abuse encompasses a broader spectrum, including the psychological and emotional aspects of mistreatment.

Domestic Violence focuses on violence

Calling it "domestic violence" we seem to often emphasise physical aggression or the threat of physical harm. And that could include acts such as hitting, slapping, punching, or any form of physical assault. But is that all it is?

Domestic Abuse has a broader scope

Domestic abuse is a more comprehensive term that encompasses not only physical violence but also emotional, psychological, verbal, and financial abuse. It recognises that abuse can take various forms beyond physical harm.

Having said that, we don't want to fall into the misconception that either one is the wrong way to define it. It just seems very reductive to call it violence when it implies that there are a lot of diverse forms of abuse that can be way far from physical, but it doesn't mean that they aren't abuse. And this is why we like to call it abuse better. It is because, even if you weren't hurt physically, it doesn't mean you weren't abused. And it is paramount to recognise early signs of controlling and abusive behaviours to take a further step away from a toxic relationship.