Any case history for domestic abuse?

[Elphabala]

Has anyone in the world, ever, made a restraining order stick when it's for emotional abuse, in the absence of physical violence? I'd prefer something from New Jersey, but I'll settle for anything in English.

[nighthawk]

I'd say with most confidence, YES. Google it. Without a doubt, I'm sure you will find more than you can read.

[Fatheroffour]

Harassment maybe, but I've never heard of emotional abuse being a reason for obtaining a restraining order.

[Elphabala]

I've been googling it for months. Let me rephrase:
Can anyone name of an actual case?
I've heard plenty of theories and opinions. Has anyone actually done it?

[Fatheroffour]

Emotional abuse is a squishy term with no real meaning so I'm guessing probably not.

Is there a particular reason you are stuck on that terminology?

[nighthawk]

Im like FOF about this. After spending a little while reading about emotional abuse in NY, I'm finding out, whether you call it physical abuse, emotional abuse or mental abuse, in NY they label it, it's all domestic violence.

Types of Domestic Violence

            Domestic violence not only includes physical abuse, but also mental, verbal, and emotional abuse.  In many situations, non-physical abuse leads to physical abuse – sometimes even to murder. 

            Although women are the primary victims of domestic abuse, especially violent abuse, men can be victims as well in both same-sex and opposite sex relationships. One of the most important steps in breaking free of an abusive or violent relationship is to recognize the situation as abusive.  The various forms of domestic violence and abuse include:

Your partner using threats to make you do things – for example, threatening to leave you, threatening to commit suicide, or threatening to hurt you
Economic abuse, such as preventing you from earning money or making you beg for an allowance;
Sexual abuse, which means treating you as a sex object or making you perform sex acts against your will
Emotional abuse, which includes causing you to have low self-esteem, humiliating you, and making you feel guilty or crazy
Isolating you from friends and controlling who you see
Intimidating you by implying physical violence through words or actions including destroying your property
Minimizing the abuse, denying the abuse, and blaming you for causing the abuse  
 

            Because of the psychological aspect of domestic abuse, many abused people look to themselves to find things to change, while in reality it is their partner who has the problem.  This is why it is extremely important, if you are close to someone who may be in an abusive relationship, to provide help and support.  Once a person who is being abused has recognized the situation for what it is, he or she can begin to seek help. Please feel free to call our office and set up a consultation about this.

[Chosen2Dad]

I wish I had a recorder back in those days. But it can be done.

[dadmisseskids]

After spending a little while reading about emotional abuse in NY, I'm finding out, whether you call it physical abuse, emotional abuse or mental abuse, in NY they label it, it's all domestic violence.

First we need to know what exactly was said. Emotional abuse is different than harassment or threats. All of these aren't physical in nature but they could rise to the level of domestic violence. There's a difference in saying "Mary, you resemble a fat cow with that black and white polka dot dress" when compared to "If you don't bl*w me, I will kill you." The latter is a threat and MAY get a DV charge to stick. The former, while it may fall in a technical area for domestic violence, probably will get you laughed out of the courtroom. I was in court this week and a guy admitted to hitting his GF on the head with his fist. They had no kids so the judge refused to issue a final order of protection.

Again, need the context of the emotional abuse to really comment but getting the emotional abuse classified as domestic violence, being charged with domestic violence AND getting a final order for domestic violence probably won't happen.

Has anyone in the world, ever, made a restraining order stick when it's for emotional abuse, in the absence of physical violence?

To answer this question, never heard of it happening but it's plausible.

[Fatheroffour]

Ignoring someone, not speaking to them, pointing and laughing at them can all be considered emotional abuse.

It's a meaningless term.

[Trevor]

pointing and laughing at them can all be considered emotional abuse.

Getting pantsed in the cafeteria in college is still affecting you, eh?