Domestic violence and abuse can take many different forms in California. Often, it means that a person is accused of recklessly or intentionally causing bodily injury. They could also be accused of simply threatening to cause bodily injury. If a person has a reasonable expectation that they could be injured, even if physical contact is not made, it can still qualify as domestic violence.
On top of that, it is important to remember that physical assault and injury are not required when it comes to certain types of abusive behavior. Abuse could include stalking someone, harassing them, destroying their personal property, committing sexual assault and much more.
This is especially true if there is a protective order on file. A person could be accused of violating that order simply by coming within a certain distance of the individual named in the order, even if no further physical contact takes place.
Controlling behaviors
In some situations, evidence of domestic violence could include controlling behavior by one party. They may isolate the other individual from their social support systems, such as friends and relatives. They may control their access to basic necessities or funds, such as prohibiting them from accessing a bank account. They may monitor that person’s movements and communications, seeking to take control of every aspect of their life.
Domestic violence can include spouses, and often does, as it may be one of the reasons that a person eventually decides to file for divorce. But it can also include other members of the family unit or people who live in the home, such as a romantic partner who is not married, a child, a stepchild or a parent.
Those who believe they are facing domestic violence need to know their legal options, both when it comes to securing protective orders and considering the potential for divorce and the end of the relationship.
