The more you know
When the general public thinks about domestic violence, they usually think in terms of physical assault that results in visible injuries to the victim. Where this is often the case, it is only one type of abuse. There are several types of abusive behavior, each of which has its own devastating consequences. Lethality involved with physical abuse may place the victim at higher risk, but the long term destruction of personhood that accompanies the other forms of abuse is significant and cannot be minimized.
Domestic violence is not physical violence alone. Domestic violence is ANY behavior the purpose of which is to gain power and control over a spouse, partner, girl/boyfriend or intimate family member. Abuse is a learned behavior; it is not caused by anger, mental problems, drugs or alcohol, or other common excuses.
Under the law, Domestic Violence includes:
- Assault
- Aggravated Assault
- Child or Vulnerable Adult Abuse
- Dangerous Crimes Against Children
- Endangerment
- Threatening or Intimidating
- Harassment
- Aggravated Harassment
- Stalking
- Kidnapping
- Unlawful Imprisonment
- Custodial Interference
- Criminal Trespass – 1st Degree
- Criminal Trespass – 2nd Degree
- Criminal Damage
- Disobeying a Court Order
- Surreptitious Photographing, Videotaping, Filming, or Digitally Recording
