Domestic Violence or family violence is the abuse of power or control. It is behavior used by one person to control another through force or threats. A batterer makes a choice to strike, hit, kick, punch or threaten their victim.
Domestic violence is not caused by or provoked by the actions or inactions of the victim. Domestic violence is not directly caused by alcohol or drug abuse, depression, lack of money, lack of a job, mental illness or abuse as a child. However, existing problems often create additional stress in a relationship and may increase the risk of violence. Many abusers blame the victim or other things for their violent acts and do not take responsibility for the abusive behavior.
If you are the victim of domestic violence or abuse, call 911 immediately to get assistance and report the situation. Please contact us for further resources and help.
“You have the right to go to the superior, probate and family, district or Boston municipal court if you reside within the appropriate jurisdiction, and file a complaint requesting any of the following applicable orders:
- an order restraining your attacker from abusing you;
- an order directing your attacker to leave your household;
- an order awarding you custody of a minor child;
- an order directing your attacker to pay support for you or any minor child in your custody, if the attacker has a legal obligation to support them; and
- an order directing your attacker to pay you for the losses suffered as a result of the abuse, including medical and moving expenses, loss of earnings or support, attorneys fees, and other out-of-pocket losses for injuries sustained.
For an emergency on weekends, holidays, or weeknights, you should contact the police, who will refer you to a justice of the superior, probate and family, district, or Boston municipal court departments.
You have the right to go to the appropriate district court or the Boston municipal court and seek a criminal complaint for threats, assault and battery, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with intent to kill, or other related offenses.
If you are in need of medical treatment, you have the right to request that the officer present drive you to the nearest hospital or otherwise assist you in obtaining medical treatment.
If you believe that police protection is needed for your physical safety, you have the right to request that the officer present remain at the scene until you and your children can leave or until your safety is otherwise insured.”
Do any of the following symptoms fit your life?
Using Emotional Abuse
- Putting the other person down
- Making the other person feel bad about themselves
- Calling the other person names
- Making the other person think they are crazy
- Playing mind games
- Humiliating the other person
- Making the other person feel guilty
Using Privileges
- Treating the other person like a servant
- Making all the big decisions
- Acting like the master of the castle
- Being the one who determines the roles
Using Economic Abuse
- Preventing the other person from getting or keeping a job
- Making the other person ask for money
- Giving the other person an allowance
- Taking the other person’s money
- Not letting the other person know about or have access to family income
Using Coercion & Threats
- Making or carrying out threats to do something to hurt the other person
- Threatening to leave the other person, to commit suicide, report the other person to welfare
- Making the other person drop charges
- Making the other person do illegal things
Using Intimidation
- Making the other person afraid by using looks, gestures, or actions
- Smashing things
- Abusing pets
- Displaying weapons
Using Children
- Making the other person feel guilty about the children
- Using the children to relay messages
- Using visitation to harass the other person
- Threatening to take the children away
Using Isolation
- Controlling what the other person does, who they see and talk to, what’s read, and where they go
- Limiting their outside involvement
- Using jealousy to justify actions
Minimizing, Denying, Blaming
- Making light of the abuse and not taking the other person’s concerns about it seriously
- Saying the abuse never happened
- Shifting responsibility for abusive behavior
- Saying the other person caused it
Does your partner:
- Blame everyone else especially you, for his or her mistakes
- Prevent you from seeing your family or friends?
- Curse you, say mean things, mock you or humiliate you?
- Force you to have sex or force you to engage in sex that makes you feel uncomfortable?
- Restrain, hit, punch, slap, or kick you?
- Intimidate or threaten you?
- Ever prevent you from leaving the house, getting a job, or continuing your education?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship. West Bridgewater Police Department can assist with orders of protection and counseling.