Tag Archive for: domestic violence

Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC Releases A Guide For Domestic Violence Victims In New Jersey

A Guide For Domestic Violence Victims In New Jersey (Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group Library) Coinciding with October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC announces the publication on its newest book, A Guide For Domestic Violence Victims In New Jersey. Authored by Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC’s founder, family law attorney Bari Z. Weinberger, Esq., the book offers victims support and legal information that can be difficult to find elsewhere. Read more

Same-Sex Domestic Violence: How To Get Help

same-sex domestic violenceBecause domestic violence has been traditionally viewed as something that happens only to heterosexual women, instances of same-sex domestic violence (DV) or intimate partner violence (IPV) in the LGBT community are often overlooked. People assume it just doesn’t happen.

But it does.

As reports consistently show, at least one out of four people in same-sex relationships will experience domestic violence during their lifetime, mirroring rates among heterosexual couples. Sadly, LGBT victims are frequently reluctant to go the police, often because of perceived stigma or fear that help for same-sex couples is not readily available.

It’s time to dispel the myths surrounding same-sex DV. Let’s look an all-too-common DV scenario involving a LGBT couple and explore how the victim in this situation can reach out for needed help and protection. Read more

Domestic Violence Charges Dropped Against NJ Celebrity Constantine Maroulis

domestic violenceA local news story that many have asked us about this week involves the domestic violence charges, now dropped, against former American Idol singer and Bergen County resident, Constantine Maroulis. We would like to preface our comments by noting the sensitivity of any discussion that involves domestic violence. The charges against Mr. Maroulis have been dismissed. Still, the nature of the original incident and claims of abuse by both spouses (aka, “mutual abuse”) brings up interesting points that may be beneficial for others seeking help with domestic violence issues. Read more

How To Get Help When You’re A Male Victim Of Domestic Violence

male victims of domestic violence

If you think a woman could never abuse a man, think again. According to a 2010 CDC report, 40% of DV victims are male – that’s over 2 million men in America who have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner. Read more

Super Bowl Domestic Violence Commercial Wants To Get You Talking – And Listening

Has Super Bowl Sunday become a new kind of Domestic Violence Awareness Day? Since video of former Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice assaulting his then fiancée and now wife surfaced in the fall, much public debate and conversation has taken place around the NFL’s response when professional football players are charged with domestic violence. Since this fall’s public outcry, the NFL has moved forward with a stricter six-game sanction for any player’s first DV offense, and a lifetime ban for the player should further offenses occur.

The NFL also committed itself to domestic violence awareness and prevention, and to prove it, the organization has donated a block of air time during this Sunday’s Super Bowl to air a groundbreaking public service commercial from NO MORE, a public advocacy campaign aimed at stopping domestic violence. Read more

Domestic Violence and Abuse in New Jersey: Where to Find the Help You Need

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As we recently depicted in “Faces of Domestic Violence,” it is not always easy to identify domestic abuse, especially in its more subtle forms. This means that often, people in the grip of this problem delay seeking help until a situation has become overwhelming or dangerous. Without professional help, signs of abuse rarely disappear and frequently worsen over time. In this post, we are urging you to take action at the first sign of a problem.

What kind of help should you seek and where? Read more

Faces of Domestic Violence: Three Very Different Stories

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One of the most difficult aspects of domestic violence is that it affects a victim’s ability to take self-protective measures. Some people are uncertain whether or not their situation even amounts to domestic violence. Others are simply overwhelmed by their emotional or financial entanglement with the perpetrator.

If you are in either of these situations, it can help to take things one step at a time. If you are in physical danger, your first step is clear: Call 911 or the NJ Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 (800) 572-SAFE (7233). You can also call the hotline if you just have questions about your (or someone else’s) situation, or you can contact an experienced domestic violence attorney free of charge.

While the most obvious domestic violence scenarios involve physical violence, there are actually 14 distinct offenses covered by the New Jersey Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, N.J.S.A.2C:25-17 et seq. (NJPDVA).

Here are three very different NJ domestic violence case studies: Read more

An Open Letter to the NFL: Play This Season’s Super Bowl Off the Field

violet handprint, depicting the idea of to stop violence against women
Dear Mr. Roger Goodell,

As a lifelong football fan, my intention was to spend this year’s NFL season, as I always do, rooting for the New York Giants to win big. However, since the Ray Rice domestic assault video broke in September and charges of domestic violence and abuse against other NFL players unearthed, I have changed my mind about who I hope walks away as this season’s champions. Read more

Hope Solo Domestic Violence Charges Involve Sister, Nephew

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In domestic violence news, soccer superstar Hope Solo, 33, has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence in the assault of her sister and 17-year-old nephew that occurred in late June. Solo has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial in November. Read more