What kind of behavior is considered domestic violence?
Domestic violence can take a number of forms, including:
physical behavior (slapping, punching, pulling hair or shoving)
forced or coerced sexual acts or behavior (unwanted fondling or intercourse, or sexual jokes and insults)
threats (threatening to hit, harm or use a weapon)
psychological abuse (attacks on self-esteem, attempts to control or limit another person's behavior, repeated insults or interrogation)
stalking (following a person, appearing at a person's home or workplace, making repeated phone calls or leaving written messages), or
cyberstalking (repeated online action or email that causes substantial emotional distress).
Typically, many kinds of abuse go on at the same time in a household.
Are TROs and emergency protective orders available only when the abuser is a spouse?
No, in most states, the victim of an abusive live-in lover can obtain a TRO or emergency protective order. In a few states, the victim of any adult relative, an abusive lover (non-live-in) or even a roommate can obtain such an order. To learn about your state's rule, contact a local crisis intervention center, social service organization or battered women's shelter.
Programs for Abusive Men
A number of programs have been established to help abusive men change their behavior. You can get more information from the following organizations:
Abusive Men Exploring New Directions (AMEND)
2727 Bryant Street, Suite 350
Denver, CO 80211
303-832-6363 www.amendinc.org
EMERGE: A Men's Counseling Service
2380 Massachusetts Ave. #101
Cambridge, MA 02140
617-547-9879 www.emergedv.com
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
