What is Power-Based Violence?

Power-based violence is any act that is perpetrated against a person’s will and is based on gender norms and unequal power relationships. Types of power-based violence may include the following:

Sexual Assault is sexual contact without consent. It can cover a wide range of acts from unwanted touching to attempted rape. Sexual assault can occur if the victim is forced, threatened, intimidated or physically or mentally incapacitated, including alcohol or drug intoxication.

Rape is unwanted or coerced sexual intercourse without a person’s consent. It includes vaginal, anal or oral penetration with a body part or an object.

Domestic Violence is abuse by one person against another in a domestic setting, such as in marriage or cohabitation. This type of violence can take place between former spouses or partners, children, parents, or siblings. Domestic violence can take a number of forms including physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious, reproductive, and sexual abuse.

Dating Violence is controlling, abusive, and aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship. It can include verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, or a combination of the above.

Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention, communication, or contact by a person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear or concern for one’s own safety or the safety of someone close to the victim.