Baltimore Defense Lawyer Discusses Types of Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse, or violence, may be, and is to some extent typically defined as an occurrence or displayed pattern of physical, emotional, and sometimes sexual actions intended to be controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent, occurring in specific social and economic situations. When Baltimore Defense Lawyers discusses types of domestic abuse, they would generally agree that domestic violence is usually an act caused by a past or present domestic partner, less often a family member or caretaker. Not all acts of abuse are charged. Not all conduct that meets this common sense definition of “abuse” constitutes a crime, but most does- at least according to the prosecution. These are scenarios where one may commonly see criminal charges arise in Baltimore.
Baltimore Defense Lawyer Discusses Types of Domestic Abuse
Physical Abuse in Intimate Relationships
Perhaps the most recognizable forms of domestic violence is frank, direct physical abuse, often occurring between romantic partners. A common scenario involves one partner exerting control over the other through physical violence, such as slapping, punching, choking, or restraining them. This can escalate over time, with episodes of violence becoming more severe. In many cases, the abusive partner apologizes afterward, promising to change, only for the cycle to repeat. Victims may stay due to fear, financial dependence, or concern for their children. Commonly in Baltimore, this would be charged as a second degree assault.
Emotional and Psychological Abuse
Not all domestic violence involves physical harm. Abusers may manipulate their victims through verbal threats, humiliation, and gaslighting. A common scenario is one partner belittling the other, controlling their daily activities, and making them feel worthless. The abuser might isolate the victim from friends and family, making them dependent and fearful of leaving. Over time, this psychological control can severely damage the victim’s self-esteem and mental health. This type of conduct may be more difficult for a Baltimore prosecutor to prove meets a the definition of a crime.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse may be less visible but equally harmful form of domestic violence. In this scenario, an abuser may prevent their partner from working, control all financial resources, or force them to turn over their income. This creates a situation where the victim is unable to leave the relationship due to financial dependence. Some abusers can go further by taking out credit cards in the victim’s name, ruining their credit, or withholding necessities like food and medical care to maintain control. Baltimore Defense Lawyers discussing types of domestic abuse noted the potential of crimes, [e.g. theft occurring in these settings] not necessarily considered “abusive”, being charged in these scenarios.
Coercive Control and Stalking After Separation
Many victims attempt to leave their abuser, but separation does not always mean the end of the violence. Baltimore Defense Lawyers discussing types of domestic abuse well know a common scenario. Stalking often involves an abuser continuing to stalk, harass, or threaten their former partner after the relationship ends. This may include showing up uninvited at their workplace or home, incessant texting or calling, or even using social media to intimidate them. The line here between lawful conduct a “crime” can become blurry, and his type of conduct may be more difficult for a Baltimore prosecutor to get a conviction.
RESOURCES:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Website: https://www.thehotline.org/
- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)
- Website: https://ncadv.org/
- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
- Website: https://www.rainn.org/
- Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) – U.S. Department of Justice
- Website: https://www.justice.gov/ovw
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Intimate Partner Violence
- National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)
- Website: https://www.nrcdv.org/
- National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
- Website: https://nnedv.org/
- Futures Without Violence
- Child Welfare Information Gateway – Domestic Violence
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A Baltimore car accident and personal injury litigator who has taken hundreds of cases to trial, winning millions over a 30-year mission to obtain fair and just compensation, which has been unfairly and unjustly denied to his clients.
