Gender stereotypes have traditionally framed relationship violence as an issue between men and women, but abusive behaviors can and do occur in all types of relationships. Individuals across the sexuality and gender spectrum can find themselves in an abusive relationship and face unique barriers when they do.

Immigrants can experience the same types of relationship violence as anyone else in this country. Because of their immigration status, however, they face additional barriers to seeking help while those who use abusive behaviors have additional outlets to exert power and control.

Take a second to think about your childhood growing up. Picture the people, environment and memories that helped define you as a kid. Now open your eyes, look in the mirror and ask yourself this one question – how did those people, that environment and those memories shape who you are today?

Despite more than 4 in 5 Americans believing otherwise, alcohol is biologically and statistically proven not to make someone violent. The fact is that not everyone who drinks becomes violent, not everyone who is violent drinks and solving one’s substance abuse problem doesn’t solve their problem of using abusive behaviors.

Technological innovation is often referred to as a double-edged sword. An appropriate comparison is to fire which can be useful to cook our food and keep us warm but can also cause us pain and devastation. Perhaps the greatest validation of this metaphor is the use of technology in abusive and controlling relationships.