There was a time in California when protections for domestic violence victims were admittedly lacking. Law enforcement appeared generally reluctant to get involved in domestic squabbles, often viewing it as a “private matter” between husband and wife–and when they did get involved, they frequently let the alleged perpetrator off with…
One of the most challenging and distressing situations a parent can encounter is being accused of committing an act of domestic violence against their own child. When the child in question is a special needs child with behavioral issues, the stress is compounded even more as criminal charges of child…
While domestic violence is a serious public health issue, and while the State of California rightfully implements strong laws to protect victims, there are also many instances in which someone may be unfairly accused of domestic violence. In fact, research has shown that in as many as 25-35 percent of…
Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status. However, one common predictor is the presence of toxicity in the relationship. Volatile emotions, poor disagreement skills, power imbalances, manipulation, and control characterize this toxicity. In the early stages of a relationship, these traits may be mistaken…
When we think on a fundamental level about domestic violence, we sometimes think in stereotypical terms based on our ideas of who/what an abuser is. Maybe we imagine an abuser as someone who has no job or no ambition; maybe in our minds, they’ve got mental health issues or are…
It’s a reality of life that couples sometimes disagree–sometimes even loudly. Sometimes, an argument can get out of hand, leading one to accuse the other of domestic violence. If you’ve recently been arrested over such an argument, and it’s your first offense, you might be able to explain it as…
Being accused of domestic violence is a serious matter that can have life-altering implications. In California, the consequences extend beyond legal penalties; they can also significantly impact your current job and future career prospects. Not only do you have to deal with the stigma of being simply accused of domestic…
When thinking about domestic violence, especially from the standpoint of criminal charges, we typically think of it in terms of the perpetrator (the defendant) and the victim (the accuser). But domestic violence spares no one in the families where it happens, and there are other victims to consider. As many…
People tend to think of domestic violence in simplistic, one-way terms. There is an abuser, and there is a victim–and that is the case in many situations. But in reality, many abusive relationships are mutually abusive–that is, both parties are physically violent with each other. Multiple studies have revealed that…
Being arrested on domestic violence charges can be confusing, humiliating, and disconcerting, especially if it’s the first time it’s happened to you. But facing domestic violence charges a second or third time can be utterly demoralizing. The first time it happened, you were unsure of how you got here (perhaps…