Domestic Violence: What You Need To Know In Los Angeles

Domestic violence can be considered any action that aims to threaten or cause harm to another person within a family nucleus, regardless of the gender or age of the victim.

According to the organization Respondinc, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience violence of this type in their lives. Trans people or people who do not recognize their birth gender have a percentage of 54% of suffering some type of aggression in their home for this reason.

In addition to this, Los Angeles domestic violence programs estimate that they receive more than 900 calls daily for reasons of domestic violence; however, more than 400 are no longer served due to lack of resources.

Despite this, most telephone complaints are dealt with effectively and the situation is put to an end before more dangerous actions are launched that violate the life of the victim.

What is considered domestic violence?

It can be said that we are facing an abuse of this type when:

  • The victim receives physical abuse of any kind or attempts to hurt him physically, intentionally or unknowingly.
  • The victim is sexually harassed or there is an intention to do so.
  • The victim has reason to be frightened due to a verbal threat that may turn into a potential physical assault.
  • The behavior of a partner or family member has the objective of disturbing the tranquility of the home and the community through property damage.
  • Acts such as stalking or personal persecution are committed.
  • A person is designated as a domestic aggressor without reason to support said accusation.

 What are the penalties for this type of action?

  • Protection or restraining order (the abuser will not be able to approach or contact the victim)
  • Prison or probation (in case of the latter, the abuser will have to appear in court periodically and will not be able to leave the city until the authorities decide).
  • Domestic violence tests (the aggressor will have to undergo constant tests to prove their good behavior or go to therapy until the local authorities consider it necessary).
  • Loss of employment or job opportunities due to your criminal record.
  • If you are a foreigner or come from another country, you may lose your U.S. residency benefits. (if you have them,) and be deported immediately.

What to do if you suffer or are a victim of domestic violence?

If you believe that your partner or another family member is a potential aggressor within your home, or is being unfairly accused of being such a person, immediately contact the authorities by telephone before the person incurs actions that could put at risk his life or that of other family members.

Make your complaint explaining in detail the facts in the calmest way possible. If it is necessary to go to a local institution, do so immediately or after the incident. In addition, receiving personal and emotional support from another family member or a friend can be very useful to validate or support your opinion, especially if you consider yourself innocent of accusations.

Remember that if you have evidence of what happened (medical reports, physical injuries, recordings, etc.), do not hesitate to show it so that legal action can be taken against the person as soon as possible and thus prevent the continuation of domestic abuse or the false accusations.

If you need legal advice with a lawyer, contact us by phone, email or through social networks to provide you with more information about it and thus be able to learn more comprehensively about the help we can offer you in relation to your case.