Domestic violence is a heartbreaking issue that involves spousal or cohabitant abuse. In reality, it often involves more than the couple because there may be children or other relatives living in the same house or forced to intervene in violent situations between the abuser and abused. Anyone subjected to domestic violence should first seek shelter and safety and then contact a family law Northfield, NJ attorney.

Domestic violence can take many forms. It may be sexual, emotional, verbal or physical but often includes more than one form making it even more insidious. Each situation is unique too. Often people are shocked when they discover friends or family members have been subjected to domestic violence because victims often try to cover up the events out of embarrassment but more likely out of fear.

Not Your Fault

The attorney specializing in family law in Northfield, NJ deals with a variety of cases and there is simply no reason for a victim to be embarrassed. One of the common characteristics of long term domestic abuse situations is the fact that victims often tell themselves that it is their fault. They come to believe they are not worthy of better treatment and actually believe they are getting deserved ‘punishment’ for some imagined fault.

Of course, this is false because no human has a right to abuse another person. According to the New Jersey Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, abusers can include:

>> Spouse

>> Ex-spouse

>> Domestic partner

>> Someone you are dating

>> Someone you have dated in the past

>> Household member (current or former)

>> Father of one or more of your children

Though abusers can be a man or woman, in most cases it’s a husband or boyfriend. The law applies to anyone over the age of 18. When victims are under the age of 18, the abusers can be charged with child abuse.

Types of Domestic Abuse

One fact that family law Northfield, NJ attorneys handling domestic violence cases can tell you is that abusers rely on a variety of ways to harass or abuse their targets. As a result, the law includes several definitions of what constitutes a domestic violent act. They include:

>> Assault (simple and aggravated) – a person knowingly and recklessly causes another person injury ; aggravated assault is a matter of degree in that a deadly weapon may be used in either case but aggravated assault indicates an extreme indifference to human life

>> Terroristic Threats – includes making threats to another person with the intent of making the person fear for life; includes threatening to kill someone even if there are no plans to actually do so

>> Harassment – includes a variety of actions like making offensive remarks, bothering someone at odd hours, threatening violence, doing offensive touching and others

The attorney specializing in family law in Northfield, NJ handles thousands of domestic violence cases and no two are exactly alike. Domestic violence is much more than just striking someone. It is an emotional as well as physical crime in that the abuser uses fear to control another person as well as physical violence.

If you are a victim of domestic violence there are ways you can legally protect yourself. No one should live in fear. The attorney with experience in family law in Northfield, NJ can provide legal advocacy in a fight for your rights to live a violence free life.

Stephen A. Browndorf Attorney At Law provides family law, nuptial, and divorce services to Northfield, Atlantic County & Cape May county NJ.For more details on Family Law and Divorce Attorney than please visit our website.