Domestic Violence

22nd October 2020
domestic violence, not just physical, part 2

Domestic Violence: It’s Not Just Physical (Part 2)

In the United States, October is the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As part of our own mission to help families in crisis, the Law Office of Erika A. Williams is publishing this 4-part series on domestic violence to shed light on all forms of domestic violence; the ways that it shows up in families' lives; and, what you can do to keep yourself, your family, and your loved ones safe. In the last post, we talked about the incidence of domestic violence in the United States.  For this second part of the series, I really wanted to give you some of the laws covering domestic violence. Any case that is filed related to domestic violence must, first, be rooted in the law. The law defines what domestic violence is and what both the punishment is for the perpetrator and the remedy is for the victim. In California, domestic violence is described in both the penal code and the family code. The penal code provides criminal penalties for the conduct described; while the family code provides for civil penalties and relief.
18th October 2020

Domestic Violence: It Isn’t Just Physical (Part 1)

In the United States, October is the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  As part of our own mission to help families in crisis, the Law Office of Erika A. Williams is publishing this 4-part series on domestic violence to shed light on all forms of domestic violence; the ways that it shows up in families' lives; and, what you can do to keep yourself, your family, and your loved ones safe. 2020 has been a year of a lot of trauma and crises for a great many people and families. While trying to remain safer at home, many individuals found themselves in even greater danger. Behind closed doors was an even bigger monster than the one outside and just as deadly.  Many people have found themselves suffering from domestic violence. The thing about it is, there are a lot of misconceptions about domestic violence. You would think that with a problem that affects over 10 million men, women, and children each year, there would be a better term for it. Sadly, though, there isn’t.