Pumpkin & Field

Domestic Violence Links

Domestic Violence

“He doesn’t allow her to see certain friends, or to have a job, or to leave the house, or to call the police. He takes the phone, the car keys, her money, her purse and her clothes. He insists that if they can’t have a conversation in the middle of the night then she must be having an affair.”

These are all examples of domestic abuse which can often escalate into criminal behavior. Common domestic violence offenses include:

Assault
Sexual Assault
Violation of a Protection from Abuse Order
Kidnapping
Terrorizing
Criminal Threatening
Criminal Mischief
Stalking

Domestic violence is a crime committed between family or household members. By law, family or household members are defined as:

. . . spouses or domestic partners or former spouses or former domestic partners, individuals presently or formerly living as spouses, natural parents of the same child, [related] adult household members . . . or minor children of any household member when the offender is an adult household member. . . .

Domestic abuse is the single major cause of injury to women—more than automobile accidents, stranger rape and muggings. Any woman can be abused regardless of her race, educational background, religion, income level, or marital status.

Please note that abusers are often referred to as “he” because most often the abuser is male. However, please be aware that abuse can be – and is – perpetrated by women against men, or in same sex relationships. The common element is one person in a domestic relationship uses power and control to emotionally, financially, and/or physically keep the other in a powerless position. And while substance abuse can make the violence worse, it is not the underlying cause of domestic violence.

People often wonder, “Why does she stay?” The short answer: leaving is the most dangerous time for a domestic abuse victim. The long answer includes:

Isolation
Language barriers
Embarrassment
Threats of physical violence
Children
Lack of financial independence
Culture
Pride

The list goes on. If you are a victim you should know it is not your fault. No matter what excuse an abuser may use, no one deserves to be beaten or threatened. There are laws to protect you. There are places to get help. The important thing to know is women do leave. Survivors of domestic abuse do build new lives.

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Links

Domestic Violence

These are all examples of domestic abuse which can often escalate into criminal behavior. Common domestic violence offenses include:

Assault

Sexual Assault

Violation of a Protection from Abuse Order

Kidnapping

Terrorizing

Criminal Threatening

Criminal Mischief

Stalking

Domestic violence is a crime committed between family or household members. By law, family or household members are defined as:

Domestic abuse is the single major cause of injury to women—more than automobile accidents, stranger rape and muggings. Any woman can be abused regardless of her race, educational background, religion, income level, or marital status.

People often wonder, “Why does she stay?” The short answer: leaving is the most dangerous time for a domestic abuse victim. The long answer includes:

Isolation

Language barriers

Embarrassment

Threats of physical violence

Children

Lack of financial independence

Culture

Pride