By Evan Weinstein

Mandatory lockdowns and other limitations of daily life due to COVID-19 have challenged the balance of many marriages and domestic partnerships, and in many instances, domestic violence has increased. Cooped up in tight quarters, the uncertainty of the future, job insecurity and financial hardships have all created tension and in some cases, abuse. In relationships that already had a history of domestic violence, the pandemic has exacerbated the problem and victims are feeling further trapped and isolated. Mounting data points to a significant increase in reports of domestic violence as people have been forced to stay in their homes for extended periods of time, while even more abuse goes unreported, according to the New York Times.

How Domestic Violence is Defined in New Jersey

New Jersey has a statute called the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (PDVA).  According to the PDVA of 1991, domestic violence is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the following 19 criminal offenses upon a person: homicide, assault, terroristic threats, kidnapping, criminal restraint, false imprisonment, sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, lewdness, criminal mischief, burglary, criminal trespass, harassment, stalking, criminal coercion, robbery, contempt of a domestic violence order, any crime involving risk of death or serious bodily injury, or cyber harassment.

In domestic violence cases, the plaintiff (or victim) is a person who seeks or has been granted relief under the PDVA. The defendant is a person at least 18 years old or emancipated who is alleged to have committed or who has been found to have committed an act of domestic violence under the PDVA. The parties must have had a specific family type or dating relationship at present or in the past. The statute is intentionally gender neutral because men can also be victims of domestic violence.

An All Too Common Reality

In the United States, more than 12 million women and men are victims of intimate partner violence in the course of one year, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.  Studies show that violence occurs at least once in two-thirds of all marriages, and approximately 95 percent of the victims of domestic violence are women. Roughly 40 percent of all physically abused children have also witnessed physical violence between their parents. Unfortunately, children who are abused or witness abuse tend to grow up to either be abusive themselves or become victims in violent relationships, perpetuating the cycle.

Finding Support

The stakes for victims, and their children, are high. A victim of domestic violence should call 911 immediately. Once safe, a victim should call the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline for confidential help, information and services including housing, crisis intervention and legal service referrals.

Understanding Restraining Orders

In New Jersey, a domestic violence complaint is filed in family court or in municipal court. These complaints are processed as quickly as possible so that the judge can determine whether the allegations fall within the PDVA guidelines. The judge can issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), which usually lasts a short period of time so it’s important to work with an attorney to find more permanent protection. Final restraining orders, or FROs, are a more detailed and often permanent replacement of TROs. A judge may choose to order a FRO at a final hearing, which is typically scheduled within 10 days after a TRO is ordered.

Final Restraining Orders

FROs require a hearing in front of a judge. The process may be lengthy and complicated, and the victim must testify and present evidence of the alleged offense. The evidence may include police or medical reports, as well as witnesses to support their case. However, the defendant may also do the same in an effort to prove that there was no domestic violence, and therefore no need for a FRO. The judge will decide, after hearing all the evidence, whether to issue the FRO.

There can be severe consequences of a FRO. Once entered, the defendant may have to forfeit professional licenses, have security clearances revoked, be prohibited from teaching or coaching sports teams, and be forever barred from owning or carrying a weapon.

The Civil Restraint

An alternative to a FRO is a civil restraint, which is binding but does not require a trial and does not have the other negative consequences of a FRO. This can be a valid option for someone who may be financially dependent upon their abuser for child support and does not want to limit the abuser’s ability to work. The specific terms are negotiated through attorneys and typically include the following provisions:

• No personal direct or indirect contact
• Limited contact by email or text message
• Restricted contact only for specific reasons, such as arranging and sharing custody of children.
• It may also include prohibitions against being at certain locations, such as the home or place of employment.

Enforcing a civil restraint is more difficult than enforcing a FRO. Violating a FRO is a criminal offence that can result in the defendant being jailed. The only way to pursue the violation of a civil restraint is by filing a motion to the court to enforce the order. While the judge has the power to impose penalties, it is unlikely that the defendant will be sent to jail. However, the victim may still file for a TRO and ultimately a FRO if the civil restraint is frequently violated and the victim feels threatened.

Domestic violence is a terrifying reality for many people. If you, or someone you know, is a victim of domestic violence remember that there are laws in place to protect you, and services available to help you. If you’re married to or share children with your abuser, it’s very important that you consult with an attorney who can help you through the process to better protect yourself while terminating your relationship.

This article originally appeared in New Jersey Family on August 28, 2020 and can be found here.