Domestic violence is an almost oxymoronic phrase, taking familiarity of household amity together with the striking truth of pain, vulnerability, and betrayal of trusted ties of intimacy. Domestic violence is the willful abuse perpetrated by and enacted against people of intimate ties of either blood, close relationships, or people of a shared domicile. It encompasses both physical and emotional violence and harassment.
Types of domestic violence
Domestic violence can be reasonably ascribed to the following acts, all of which are considered crimes:
- Child Abuse – Domestic violence is considered child abuse if the child is intentionally harmed or severely punished in a domestic environment by relatives or members of their domestic community.
- Child Endangerment – Allowing a child to experience harm. Similar to child abuse, this type of domestic violence is the passive volition to have a child be recklessly endangered under the supervision of their caretaker.
- Elder Abuse – Neglect, fraud, physical and emotional abuse are all considered elder abuse if the victim is an individual above the age of 65.
- Criminal Threats – Threatening an intimate partner with criminal threats is domestic violence and, depending on the severity of the threats, can even become a felony crime.
- Stalking – Previous partners, or even current ones, who are making the victim feel unsafe and vulnerable due to frequent acts of stalking fall under domestic violence.
- Battery – The most frequent crime of domestic violence is battery. Inflicting physical harm on a partner, even without any visible after signs, can be built into a case of domestic violence against the perpetrator.
- Posting Harmful Information Online – If there is an attempt to intentionally harm or harass an intimate individual publicly on the internet, it is domestic violence. While it is a very indirect form of harassment compared to others, it can still cause major criminal consequences.
Effects on a domestic violence victim
Domestic violence is a pervasive issue in the modern day and more often than not goes unchecked. If you are currently facing acts of domestic violence, calling 911 for your safety and the safety of all surrounding people is a harrowing but necessary first step.
There is a high likelihood that impacted victims of domestic violence develop depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use, and other chronic health conditions, which, if not treated, can impact the broader scope of their community in an intersectional cycle of socio-economic burdens.
Domestic violence statistics in California
California exhibits an open wound when it comes to crimes against intimate partners. Statistically, a third of Californian women have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime and more than one fourth of men are affected just the same.
Domestic violence is often a crime that can’t be thoroughly prevented by orthodox means of crime prevention, and, therefore, acts of domestic violence have continued to increase where other crimes have lessened in frequency. Comprising more than 10% of all homicides in California, domestic violence calls often surpass tens of thousands in a single day.
What are the legal consequences of domestic violence?
The severity of punishment against convicted domestic violence offenders depends entirely on the severity of the offense. This involves the court’s decision of whether the act of violence is classified as a misdemeanor or a felony. From a fine and preventative classes to the loss of gun ownership, removal of custody rights and jail time, domestic violence is and can be a severe detriment to one’s life and normalcy.
Although accused, it is possible to defend claims of domestic violence. It is important to hire a capable criminal defense attorney when you have reason to counter the offense as having been illegitimately conceived. In San Diego, contact the Law Office of Vilkas Bajaj for more information and related cases.
