When Your Situation at Home Could be Considered Domestic Violence
Every individual has the right to be in relationships founded on trust, yet abusive relationships are characterized by recurring behaviors where one partner seeks to establish or increase their power or control over the other partner.
Everyone also deserves a partner who is interested in their mental and physical health as well as their financial stability, and who does not manipulate, hurt, frighten or humiliate them. But some people find themselves in relationships that force them to evaluate how they are being treated and how they are treating their partner.
Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life, and of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, religious beliefs, socioeconomic or educational backgrounds.
Law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim advocacy groups take domestic violence very seriously and consider it a significant public health issue. If you have been accused of domestic violence, you could face serious penalties and be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony. A felony charge will prevent you from voting, owning a firearm and could lead you to lose any professional licenses you hold.
In many cases the abuser is unaware that what they are doing is considered domestic violence, and therefore illegal. Domestic violence includes physical and sexual abuse, stalking and cyberstalking, threats and psychological abuse.
Domestic Violence and COVID-19
Your home situation could be considered abusive if there is a pattern of threats or intimidation. While it is important to take precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as cases are back on the rise, an abusive partner can use manipulation tactics on an intimate partner that are considered domestic violence.
For example, If you force your partner out of your shared home because they have tested positive for COVID-19, then that can be considered domestic violence. While it’s understandable that individuals want to protect themselves and others in their home and community, forcing a partner to leave your shared home to protect yourself or others in your household from coronavirus is considered a form of domestic abuse.
Likewise, if you refuse to isolate yourself from family members or loved ones when you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have a positive test result, then that is also considered a form of domestic violence. Any person who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate themselves from others as best as possible to prevent the spread of illness.
Financial Abuse and Withholding Medical Assistance
Financial abuse occurs when a partner restricts their partner’s use of their own money or even steals money from their partner. Many times it involves a partner controlling the victim’s ability to get a job, have access to financial resources or maintain their own bank account. Trying to keep a partner financially dependent on the abuser is one of the top reasons why many women are unable to leave a partner, because they are unsure that they will be able to financially provide for themselves.
What are the penalties for domestic violence?
Each state has their own laws regarding prosecuting domestic violence cases. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the alleged occurrence of domestic violence, the charge will be graded as either a misdemeanor or a felony. If you are facing domestic violence charges, then you will need to speak with a domestic violence attorney.
