Domestic Violence

Legal Definition

Domestic or Relationship violence is when the individuals involved are of the opposite sex and reside or have resided in the same household, have a child in common or are related by blood or marriage.  Relationship violence may be treated by the legal system as simple assault or disorderly conduct when the individuals involved are or have been dating (but have never lived together and do not have a child together) or are gay or lesbian.  In addition to the physical, sexual and/or psychological assaults associated with relationship violence, other related issues which may or may not be criminal (depending on specific facts) include verbal, emotional and/or economic abuse, threats of harm or attacks against property or pets.

MYTH:  "Forced marital sex" is not "real rape."

FACT:  Forced sexual contact from a stranger, between dating partners, or within a marriage is illegal.  No relationship justifies forcible sexual behaviors.

MYTH:  Abuse is a "family matter" and the community should not interfere.

FACT:  Assault is assault, rape is rape, abuse is abuse, regardless of the relationship between the people.  Violence within the family is no more justifiable than violence between strangers.

MYTH:  Keeping silent about sexual assault or other forms of violence is safer than reporting it.

FACT:  Violence that is unreported often results in greater risks for future violence to occur.  Without legal counseling intervention, the violence won't go away.