Many people think of domestic violence as physical abuse. They are correct. It is one form of domestic violence. Physical abuse is the use of any physical force against another person that causes them injury or endangers them in some way. Because it can be more visual, people associate it with the phrase domestic violence. Any form of hitting, slapping, grabbing, pinching, strangling, throwing, use of a weapon or other actions that cause a physical reaction are types of physical abuse. Physical assault or battering is a crime, whether it occurs inside or outside of the family.