Domestic violence is behavior used by one person in a relationship to control the other person. Partners may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. Emotional and physical abuse is often associated with domestic violence.
Domestic violence can take many shapes and forms and can happen all the time or only once in a while. An important step toward helping yourself or someone you know in preventing or stopping domestic violence is recognizing the warning signs. These include:
- Name-calling or putdowns
- Keeping a partner from contacting their family or friends
- Stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job
- Actual or threatened physical harm
- Sexual assault
- Intimidation
Many people believe domestic violence laws only protect a wife from being physically abused by her husband. But the law today is much broader. Many states have expanded the definition of domestic violence to protect other groups of people, including:
- Wife and Husbands
- Girlfriends and Boyfriends
- Elders being abused by Family Members
- Roommates Abusing Each Other
- Gay and Lesbian Relationships
If you are a victim of domestic violence, it is essential, without exception, to report any incidents of abuse to the local authorities (police) as soon as possible. Your safety and well-being, and the safety and well-being of all other’s in your household, is at risk. Hiring an attorney in Blythe, California is also an important tool for your own benefit. Besides informing you of your legal rights and remedies, a lawyer can also assist you in obtaining:
If you are accused of domestic violence, you should speak to a criminal defense lawyer immediately. You may be facing serious criminal charges, so it is important to understand your rights and to understand the law.
Disclaimer – Consult a Lawyer
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