A battered woman is someone who has been the target of abusive behavior by a man who is not a stranger to her. The type of abuse most often associated with the term "battered woman" is direct physical attack. This is also called domestic assault because the woman is physically attacked by someone she lives with, or has lived with at some time. You may feel that the violence in your home sets you apart. You may feel that such violence has only happened to you and that no one will believe you or understand what it is like.