{"id":351821,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:03","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/domestic-violence\/stopping-domestic-violence.html"},"modified":"2025-02-07T14:43:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T19:43:45","slug":"stopping-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/domestic-violence\/stopping-domestic-violence.html","title":{"rendered":"Legal Options to Stop Domestic Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Legal Options to Stop Domestic Violence<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Domestic violence law offers several legal remedies for survivors seeking to break free from abusive dynamics. Key options include restraining orders, which limit an abuser’s proximity to the victim and may extend to their workplace and home. Survivors might also pursue civil lawsuits for damages or engage in criminal proceedings where the state prosecutes the alleged abuser. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The National Domestic Violence Hotline<\/a> <\/b>defines domestic violence as a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to control another partner in an intimate relationship. Other terms used for these behaviors are \u201cdomestic abuse\u201d and \u201cintimate partner violence.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

The individuals in an abusive relationship are not always married partners. Domestic violence occurs between spouses, unmarried couples, parents and children, and roommates.<\/p>\r\n

Survivors of domestic violence can face physical abuse and mental health issues even after breaking the domestic violence cycle. However, there are legal options to help survivors and their friends and family end domestic violence. Continue reading to learn how to get help and access social services.<\/p>\r\n

A Brief Definition of Domestic Violence<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Domestic violence is more than physical harm. Experts now know domestic abuse<\/a> takes many forms, including:<\/p>\r\n