Columbia University Health Services

Relationship violence, also known as "domestic violence" or "battering", is the use of abusive behavior by one person in an intimate relationship as a means of gaining power and control over the other person. This abusive behavior is frequently some combination of physical, sexual, psychological, emotional and/or economic abuse. 

Relationship violence is rarely an isolated incident, rather it is a recurring pattern of coercive behaviors that often escalate over time. Relationship violence is not limited to any racial, ethnic, or religious group, economic or social class, sexual orientation, or age group.

How can you tell if you are in an abusive relationship?

Does your partner call you names, put you down, or humiliate you?

Does your partner push, slap, punch,  or restrain you when you argue or try to leave?

Does your partner threaten or intimidate you?

Does your partner pressure you or force you to have sex?

Does your partner say it's your fault when he/she hurts you?

Does your partner make you feel isolated from the rest of your friends or limit the amount of time that you spend outside of your relationship?

Does your partner purposely make you feel guilty or responsible for his/her behavior or moods in a manner that exhausts you, physically, mentally or emotionally, and renders you incapable of taking care of yourself or your work?

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Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Program (SVPRP) provides comprehensive and integrated education, support and advocacy about sexual and relationship violence. The program supports survivors and fosters individual and collective action to end sexual and relationship violence. For more information go to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Program.

Understanding Relationship Violence
This workshop starts with the premise that we want to build healthy relationships with not only our intimate partners, but the world around us. It explores the complexities of dominate-subordinate power relations by examining the intersection of gender, class, sexuality and race. This workshop uses participants' experience as well as current research and statistics as a foundation to understand relationship violence across sexual identities. This workshop also includes a look at what participants can do to transform relationships based on dominator principles to partnership principles. For more information go to Workshops, Groups, and Training.

The Barnard Columbia Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence Support Center provides peer counseling and advocacy services for survivors and co-survivors of sexual and relationship violence. For more information go to the Barnard-Columbia Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence Support Center.

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