Is domestic violence best categorized as, divorce law or criminal law?
Domestic violence is primarily categorized as a criminal offense, as it involves the commission of a crime such as assault, battery, or harassment against a person in a domestic or intimate relationship.
However, domestic violence can also have legal implications in divorce law as it may be a factor in determining issues such as child custody, spousal support, and property division. So, while domestic violence is primarily a criminal matter, it can also have implications in family law cases such as divorce.
Domestic violence is any form of abuse that is used to control another person in the relationship..
Unlike sexual harassment or stalking, domestic violence involves an intimate relationship and includes numerous violent behaviors such as threats, name-calling, isolation, withholding of money, actual or threatened physical harm and sexual assault.
Domestic violence is any form of abuse that is used to control another person in the relationship.. In a smaller number of cases, men are abused by female partners, however 91% to 95% of all adult domestic violence assaults are perpetrated by men against their female partners. In any case, every victim of domestic violence, whether female or male, gay or heterosexual, has the right to legal help.
Here are some signs of abusive or violent behaviors…
- Constantly criticizing a spouse, partner, parent or employee
- Behaving in an overly protective manner or being prone to extreme jealousy
- Threatening to hurt a spouse, partner, children, pets, family members, friends or ones self
- Preventing a spouse or partner from seeing family or friends
- Being prone to sudden anger or loss of temper
- Destroying personal property
- Denying access to family assets like bank accounts, credit cards, or the car, or control all finances
- Use of intimidation or manipulation to control a spouse, partner, children
- Preventing a spouse or partner from going where, when, and with whomever you want to
- Forcing a spouse or partner to have sex, or do things sexually, against their will
- Humiliating or embarassing your spouse or partner in front of other people
- Becoming physically abusive including hitting, slapping, biting, kicking, pulling hair, or other violent behavior
If your husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend exhibits any of these characteristics, you may be a victim of domestic violence.
The first thing to know is that you are not to blame and you are not alone! Millions of women and men are abused by their partners each year, and, in fact, not all acts of domestic violence actually constitute violations of the law.
If you believe you, or someone you know, have been a victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse, get help now and fight back!
Get quick and easy access to Top Domestic Violence Lawyers in your area offering sound legal help and assistance. Simply complete the form at the top-left of this page.