Domestic violence (DV) or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the abuse in a romantic relationship: One person abuses the other physically, emotionally, sexually and/or financially. It can happen between married couples, dating couples, couples in live-in relationships or teenagers in a relationship. It happens in both heterosexual and same sex couples. It happens in all economic statuses, genders, races, religions, and ages. The beginnings may not be so violent but in most cases, violence worsens. Controlling behavior is common. The damage can last a lifetime and spread across generations. Conversely, acculturation (adapting to your adopted country’s cultural norms) may empower our women to stop spouse or partner abuse: They better understand reactionary attitudes okaying abuse and shake off submissive roles.