Surprising, as it may seem, domestic violence and sexual assault cuts across all barriers of age, race, sex, marital status, religion, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation. While it is commonly perceived that domestic violence only happens to "someone out there", it is shocking to learn that a large number of people, especially women, from all walks of life are victims of this terrible crime. This is also the only violent crime with devastating consequences, where the victim is frequently and unfairly blamed for the abuse they received.

Domestic and sexual abuse may be difficult to identify - even by the victims themselves. Direct and overt or disguised and covert, domestic violence may vary from situation to situation.

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The three main types of abuse are:

Sexual Abuse
The improper use of another person for sexual purposes, generally without their consent or under physical or psychological pressure. (Despite the fact that the Indian Penal Code does not recognize sexual abuse as a crime within the parameters of a marriage, marital rape and sexual abuse occurs frequently, and often goes hand-in-hand with physical abuse in a relationship.)

Physical Abuse
The use of physical force to intimidate, coerce, manipulate the actions of another person. Types of physical abuse include hitting, kicking, punching, hair-pulling, slapping, pinching, acid or kerosene burning, and the use of weapons against another.

Emotional Abuse
The use psychological coercion and manipulation to compel the actions or dictate the behavior of another person. Emotional abuse can include name-calling, the use of derogatory words, shouting, and verbalized threats of violence.