Battering

Battering refers to a pattern of physical violence and controlling behavior used by one person to dominate another in an intimate or family relationship. It is characterized by repeated acts of aggression, intimidation, and coercive control that aim to establish power over the victim. Battering can occur in heterosexual, LGBTQ+, and other relationship contexts and may be accompanied by psychological, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse.

The physical components of battering include hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, shoving, biting, choking, or using weapons. In many cases, violence is part of a broader strategy of control that includes threats, isolation, monitoring, humiliation, coercion, and manipulation. The cycle of battering is often described as alternating periods of tension-building, an acute violent incident, and a period of reconciliation or “honeymoon,” which can mask the seriousness of the abuse and complicate efforts to seek help.

The consequences of battering are physical, psychological, and social. Victims may suffer injuries, chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, sleep disturbances, and increased risk of long-term health problems. Mental health effects can include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and decreased self-esteem. The dynamics of battering create fear and dependence that can hinder leaving the relationship, especially when there are concerns about safety, economic support, or children.

Responses involve legal protections, emergency intervention, shelters, counseling for both victims and perpetrators, safety planning, and community support. Definitions and legal remedies vary by jurisdiction, but battering is widely recognized as a form of domestic or intimate partner violence and as a public health and human rights concern. See also domestic violence, intimate partner violence, coercive control.