- Personal safety issues
- Living arrangements
- Child custody/visitation
- Spousal support
A report by the New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Reporting Unit shows that in 2008:
- There were 70,613 domestic violence offenses reported by the police
- Domestic violence murders increased 50 percent over the previous year
- Assault and harassment accounted for 86 percent of the reported offenses
- Only 31 percent of the reported offenses resulted in an arrest
- Children were involved or present during 33 percent of all domestic violence offenses
- Females were the victims in 76 percent of all domestic violence offenses
- Alcohol and/or drugs were involved in 28 percent of the reported offenses
- The elderly were the victims in 21 percent of the domestic violence murders.
- Based on statistical data an act of domestic violence occurs every seven and a half minutes in New Jersey
Domestic violence is the act of obtaining control of another through the use of force, whether physical, emotional or psychological and can manifest in a number of ways including:
Physical abuse:
- Slapping, hitting, kicking, punching
- Threats with weapons
- Forced alcohol/drug use
- Sexual abuse (including marital rape)
Verbal/emotional abuse like harassment, threats of violence and destruction of personal property.
Studies have shown that domestic violence has long term and serious effects, and victims of domestic violence can suffer from:
- Depression
- Poor self-esteem
- Physical illness
- Withdrawal
- Anger/rage
- Chronic fear
Get the help and protection you need
Without legal intervention and protection, domestic violence can escalate and lead to serious injuries or even death. If you are a victim of domestic violence an experienced New Jersey domestic violence attorney can help you to obtain restraining orders and other legal remedies for your protection. Contact Morgenstern & Rochester online or call (856) 489-6200 today to learn how we can help you.