Domestic dating

See Womens Law.org's Emotional Abuse page for more information.

An abuser may also use his/her or your HIV-positive status or sexual orientation as a means to control you.

In addition to any other factors the court deems relevant, the trier of fact may consider the following when making a determination of whether a relationship exists or existed: Nature of the relationship, length of time the relationship existed, frequency of interaction between the parties and time since termination of the relationship, if applicable.(2) “Family or household member” means persons 18 years of age or older who are spouses, former spouses, parents or stepparents and children or stepchildren, and person who are presently residing together or have resided together in the past, and persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time. § 21-5427 provides the following: Stalking is:(1) Recklessly engaging in a course of conduct targeted at a specific person which would cause a reasonable person in the circumstances of the targeted person to fear for such person’s safety, or the safety of a member of such person’s immediate family and the targeted person is actually placed in such fear;(2) Engaging in a course of conduct targeted at a specific person with knowledge that the course of conduct will place the targeted person in fear for such person’s safety or the safety of a member of such person’s immediate family; or(3) After being served with, or otherwise provided notice of any protected order…that prohibits contact with a targeted person, recklessly engaging in at least one act listed in subsection (f)(1) that violates the provisions of the order and would cause a reasonable person to fear for such person’s safety, or the safety of a member of such person’s immediate family and the targeted person is actually placed in such fear…(f) As used in [the definition of stalking]:(1) “Course of conduct” means two or more acts over a period of time, however short, which evidence a continuity of purpose.

Family and household member also includes a man and woman if the woman is pregnant and the man is the alleged father, regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time. A course of conduct shall not include constitutionally protected activity nor conduct that was necessary to accomplish a legitimate purpose independent of making contact with the targeted person.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE: Causing fear by intimidation, threatening physical harm to himself/herself, you, your family member, or your children; destruction of pets and property; stalking you or cyberstalking you, playing "mind games" to make you doubt your sanity (gaslighting); forcing isolation from friends, family, school and/or work; humiliating you; and demeaning you.

Who does domestic violence/dating violence happen to?

Who does domestic violence/dating violence happen to?

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence or dating violence.

The abusive person might be your current or former spouse, live-in lover, dating partner, or some other person with whom you have a relationship.

When the abusive person is a dating partner, the pattern of abusive behaviors may be called dating violence rather than domestic violence.