{"id":372399,"date":"2016-04-11T01:21:50","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/delaware-law\/delaware-family-law-on-domestic-violence.html"},"modified":"2025-03-18T09:34:51","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T14:34:51","slug":"delaware-family-law-on-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/delaware-law\/delaware-family-law-on-domestic-violence.html","title":{"rendered":"Delaware Family Law on Domestic Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Delaware Family Law on Domestic Violence<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/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

Delaware family law defines domestic violence as abuse that can be physical, emotional, or involve patterns of control, including financial dependence or coercion. The law specifically protects individuals related by blood, marriage, cohabitation, or those sharing a child. Delaware’s legal framework provides various protective orders and intervention programs to prevent abuse and address the behavior of offenders.<\/blockquote>\r\n

Being with family and other loved ones should be a safe haven, but that’s not always the case. Domestic violence<\/a> is an insidious and persistent problem. Delaware has laws in place to shelter victims and offer protection from recurring domestic abuse. Knowing how Delaware domestic violence laws work can help you understand what to avoid and how to escape a dangerous situation<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

This article explains what defines domestic violence in Delaware, who it affects, and how Delaware law addresses it through the family courts and child custody cases. We’ll examine the types of protective orders available, the process involved in applying for one, and how they’re enforced.<\/p>\r\n

For a more focused examination of the charges and penalties associated with domestic violence abuse in Delaware, take a look at FindLaw’s Delaware Domestic Violence Laws<\/a> article.<\/p>\r\n

Domestic Violence and Delaware Family Law<\/h2>\r\n

It’s common to associate domestic violence with the image of a battered wife, but domestic abuse comes in many different forms. Recognizing the warning signs<\/a> can help you and the ones you love to avoid a terrible incident.<\/p>\r\n

Who Can Be a Victim?<\/h3>\r\n

Regardless of age or gender, anyone can be a victim of family violence<\/a>. For a criminal charge to be considered domestic violence as well, both the victim and the abuser must be either family or part of the same household.<\/p>\r\n

In Delaware<\/a>, the following qualify:<\/p>\r\n