Domestic violence charges can be significant and should be viewed as such. Those impacted by domestic violence should understand what is considered domestic violence and how the legal process protects all parties impacted by domestic violence.
There are several different types of domestic abuse including:
- Physical violence – physical violence that may be considered domestic violence can include hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, burning, use of weapons, strangulation, coerced substance abuse and other forms of physical violence.
- Emotional abuse – emotional abuse that may be considered domestic violence can include name calling, insulting behavior, blaming, jealousy, intimidation, shaming, humiliating, isolating, controlling and stalking.
- Sexual abuse – sexual abuse that may be considered domestic violence can include rape and sexual assault, sex trafficking, coerced sexual behavior or harm during sex.
- Technological abuse – technological abuse that may be considered domestic violence can include hacking into a partner’s accounts, using a partner’s cell phone to track them or their activities, monitoring social media accounts or demanding a partner’s passwords.
- Financial abuse – financial abuse that may be considered domestic violence can include controlling the finances and financial assets, harassing the partner at work, preventing the partner from going to work or damaging the partner’s credit score.
Criminal defense options are available to those who are charged with domestic violence and are facing domestic violence allegations which can carry significant consequences. It is important for anyone accused of domestic violence to understand what may be considered domestic violence so they can understand what they may be charged with and how to defend themselves against those charges.
