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.
571 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, New Jersey07044