If a current or former spouse, domestic partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancé, housemate or the other parent of a shared child threatens you with or performs acts of violence towards you, that is considered domestic violence. Many victims are hesitant to report any cases of domestic violence because of their family pressures and because they are concerned with the safety of others in their household such as children.
The Family Protection Unit is the department that handles the claim of domestic violence. They will need to consider several factors in the case before they can decide to charge it as a felony or a misdemeanor such as:
-The nature of the attack
-The harshness of the attack
-The injuries inflicted and their severity
-The criminal history of the assailant and the victim
-The history of both parties prior assaults or threats
-The role of alcohol and drugs
-Other outside factors that would have escalated the attacks
