If you are seeking legal representation regarding Domestic Violence, please call our office at (973)239-4400 or fill out our Contact Form and we will be happy to assist you in setting up a Free Initial Consultation with Charles P. Cohen, Esq.  

Domestic violence is the physical, emotional, psychological, and/or sexual abuse of one person by another with whom there is a relationship.  It can range from verbal harassment to homicide.  Abusers attempt to gain power and control over their victims using a number of different strategies.  The following are examples of abusive behavior.

Physical:
  • Pushing, punching, slapping, kicking, biting, strangling
  • Pulling hair, pinching, burning, cutting, whipping
  • Throwing objects
  • Using a weapon

Emotional/Psychological:
  • Making degrading remarks about you, your appearance or your family
  • Constant criticism (name calling, put-downs, ridiculing, blaming)
  • Yelling, swearing, humiliating you in public
  • Accusing you of flirting or having an affair
  • Harassment (constant calls, checking up on you at home or work)
  • Treating you like a servant

Threats and Intimidation:
  • Threats can be verbal, nonverbal or implied
  • Pressure tactics (using guilt or accusations, threatening you that he will have an affair, turning friends/relatives against you)
  • Tracking your every move; checking telephone bills; checking mileage on car
  • Destroying possessions/breaking furniture
  • Threatening to take children away
  • Threatening to kill you, family members or pets
  • Threatening to commit suicide

Sexual Abuse:
  • Rape
  • Forcing or threatening to force you to perform sexual acts
  • Physically attacking or injuring sexual parts of your body

Isolation:
  • Alienating you from or forbidding you to see or speak with relatives/friends
  • Forbidding you from working or attending school
  • Disabling the car or removing car keys
  • Disconnecting or not allowing use of the telephone
  • Locking you in the house or in a room

Economic Abuse:
  • Withholding money, denying access to money, checks and important financial documents
  • Making you account for spending, checking receipts, and counting change
  • Forcing you to ask for money
  • Demanding that you turn over your paycheck or stealing your money

Use of Children:
  • Withholding help with childcare
  • Threatening to take your children away from you
  • Using visitation to harass you 
  • Telling children lies about you 
  • Withholding financial support for children
  • Threatening to report you to child protective services
  • Physically or sexually abusing you in front of the children or abusing the children in front of you

Surviving Domestic Violence: Your Legal Rights.  October, 2007.
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