While it is acknowledged that both women and men can be perpetrators and/or victims of domestic violence, statistics and research overwhelmingly indicate that the majority of incidents are perpetrated by men against women and children. For this reason the terms ‘victim’ and ‘perpetrator’ are used in Make It Our Business resources to refer to women and men respectively.

While most reported abuse occurs in intimate heterosexual relationships, it can occur in gay and lesbian relationships as well. The suggestions in this brochure are equally applicable.

Readers and users of these resources to can substitute these terms with terms that are otherwise personally or organizationally more appropriate.