Domestic abuse cases are handled in three ways. Criminal courts prosecute the abuser for abuse of an intimate partner, violation of a protection order, elder abuse, murder, rape, assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, property destruction, vandalism, trespassing, stalking, unlawful possession or concealment of a weapon, intimidating a witness, sexual assault, and more.
Civil courts address violations of protection orders, personal injury lawsuits for those who want to sue for money damages, and other civil lawsuits like sexual harassment. Family courts will also examine family violence during divorce proceedings and abuse could be a factor in limiting or prohibiting the abuser’s rights to child custody or visitation privileges.