If you have been charged with domestic violence, don't let a narrow definition of the crime complicate your defense. Many people assume that domestic violence is synonymous with physical violence (probably due to the inclusion of the term violence). Legally, however, there are many forms of domestic violence, such as these three.
Sexual Abuse
The obvious examples of sexual abuse include rape and unwelcome touching, but there are many other forms of sexual abuse. For example, did you know that you are committing sexual abuse if you are coercing your partner not to use a condom during sexual intimacy? For example, issuing veiled threats to your partner if they refuse unprotected sex may make them perform a sexual act in fear. Making someone engage in a sexual act out of fear is clearly abuse.
Here are other forms of sexual abuse
- Sabotaging a reproductive product
- Coercing your partner into a sexual act that they aren't comfortable with
- Pressuring your partner to have an abortion
Psychological Abuse
This form of domestic violence involves subjecting or exposing your partner to behavior that causes them psychological trauma. It mostly takes the form of abuses, intimidation, and threats. In most cases, a one-time occurrence may not be termed as psychological abuse. For example, it may not psychological abuse if you lose your temper and abuse your partner during an exchange of heated words. However, you are definitely abusing your partner psychologically if you make a habit of abusing them every time you have a difference of opinion. Other examples of methods of psychological abuse include preventing a partner from associating with their family members, dictating how your partner should dress, and shaming your partner in front of their peers.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is the use of finances to gain power over a person and it can take various forms. For example, ensuring that you are the only one who has access to your marital finances is a form of financial abuse. Other examples include stealing money from a partner, hiding assets, refusing to work, and refusing to pay bills.
Financial abuse is common in marriages where one partner wants the other one to be financially dependent on them. The abusive partner may forbid the other one from seeking employment, starting a business, or holding properties in their name.
As you can see, domestic violence encompasses many things. You are more likely to understand it best if you replace the word "violence" with "abuse." Therefore, if you are facing a domestic violence charge, treat it as a serious case. Criminal defense attorneys can help with your defense.
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