While it is anticipated that many readers of this book may have at least some experience in the domestic violence space, one cannot assume that all readers are experts on all aspects of intimate partner violence (IPV). It is important to note here that while this book is intended to help practitioners in the field develop best practices for addressing IPV on digital platforms, it also encourages readers from all backgrounds and expertise levels to engage with these chapters. This book is intended to be understandable and informative to an array of audiences and to equip interested parties with the knowledge and tools to communicate the complexities of IPV to a wider audience. To this end, the goal of this chapter is to thoroughly define all aspects of intimate partner violence in a way that is accessible to both experts and laymen, to explain both the domestic and the global toll of IPV, and to elaborate on the risk factors affective both victims and perpetrators. The underlying theme of this chapter is the complexity of IPV and how it is a type of crime that defies easy labels and superficial solutions.