Domestic Violence Frequently Asked Questions
Domestic Violence Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the term domestic violence actually mean?
A: Domestic violence means the commission of any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking or aggravated stalking or any type of related criminal offense that results in a physical injury or death of someone by a household or family member or another whom was residing in the same dwelling.
Q: What is the difference between a fight and a battery?
A: Although most all relationships result in some form of disagreement or argument at one time or another, fighting is not a crime. The physical act of battery, physically attacking another person, is a crime. Generally, when there is an act of aggression which leads to the physical form of attacking another, the act is considered a battery.
Q: Is domestic violence a major problem?
A: Yes; although the act may seem to be relatively insignificant, domestic violence is a major concern in the US. According to authorities, nearly 25% of all homicide victims are women that are killed by their spouse. With the rates for female homicide being so high, the authorities are concerned about reducing the likely hood of the homicide rates by dealing assertively with domestic violence.
Q: Is there anything that employers can do to reduce domestic violence?
A: Yes; many employers have established assistance programs in cooperation with the local authorities to educate families and reduce the amount of violence in homes. Moreover, many employers also have trained management to be aware for the signs of domestic violence in employees.
Q: Is there a high amount of domestic violence in the US?
A: Yes; however, the statistics are difficult to determine. In a random sample of households, approximately 4% of American families were exposed to some form of violence that may have resulted in physical injuries or death. Furthermore, it is shown that nearly 26% of all families in the US have experienced some form of hitting, slapping, punching, kicking or shoving.
Q: What is a domestic violence injunction?
A: A domestic violence injunction is an order that comes from the court which assists a petitioner in allowing the court to place a jurisdiction over the party notified. This places a provision which assists in the avoidance of any further acts of violence in the household.
Q: My non-US citizen husband abuses me. Can he be deported if he is found guilty?
A: Yes; the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act may allow for the deportation of a non-citizen for an act of domestic violence as well as for child abuse, child neglect, abandonment or a violation of a protective order.
