Domestic Violence is a very real and troubling problem.  We usually think of a husband beating his wife when using this term.  This is not entirely true, however; sometimes the wife is the abuser.  Domestic violence can be any adult in the household against any other adult in the household.  It is basically the term used for adults against adults,  but sometimes is used when a teenager lashes out physically at a parent or parents. 

      In the case of minors, it is sometimes handled differently by different jurisdictions; and of course the severity of the incident and age of the child involved plays a big part in how it is dealt with.  In this situation, if it is severe enough to be considered an adult crime, the so called child may well find themselves in adult trouble.

      Sometimes children who have charge over elderly parents run out of patience, and they become violent.  Occasionally it is the elderly parent who becomes violent. Violence against minors in the household is also domestic violence, as well as abuse.

      Anything that is done to cause physical pain to another in the household must be considered violence.  Unless, of course, a child has earned a much desrved spanking.  And even then, a spanking can become a beating unless the parent has adequate control and doesn't do it in anger.  Sometimes abuse is not violent.  sometimes it is verbal.  But that is another subject altogether.

      If you or someone your know is a victim of domestic violence or abuse, here is an excellent site for information and resources: 

http://www.ncadv.org/aboutus.php  That is the site of  the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.