Domestic violence is a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors that include physical, sexual and psychological attaches, as well as economic coercion, that adults or adolescents use against their intimate partners.

Abuse: Behaviors that physically, sexually, emotionally, psychologically act to diminish or dehumanize a person.

Assault: An act which intentionally inflicts bodily harm through the use of force or which puts someone in fear of imminent bodily harm.

Battering: A pattern of intimidation, coercion, and threats of or actual violence used by an individual to establish and maintain control over his or her partner.

These learned behaviors have been intensified by acts of colonization and the imposition of hierarchy and foreign belief systems on Native peoples. These unnatural learned behaviors of power and control include: using male privilege; isolation; intimidation; emotional abuse; minimizing, lying and blaming; sexual abuse; using children; economic abuse; coercion and threats; cultural abuse; ritual abuse; and physical abuse.

Domestic violence is not: genetically inherited; caused by illness; caused by alcohol or drugs; the result of stress or anger; due to "a bad temper"; or due to the behavior of the victim, children, or a problem in the relationship.

We strive to end domestic violence so that we will honor natural life-supporting power which includes: economic partnership; negotiation and fairness; non-threatening behavior; respect; trust and support; honesty and accountability; responsible parenting; shared responsibility; sexual respect; partnership; cultural respect; and spiritual reflection.

NONVIOLENCE = EQUALITY
Equality is natural life-supporting power that is grounded in spirituality.