Domestic Violence

What is Domestic Violence?

As defined by the Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 135.230, “Domestic Violence” means abuse between family or household members.

• “Abuse” means:

1. Attempting to cause or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing physical injury; 
2. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly placing another in fear of imminent serious physical injury; or
3. Committing sexual abuse in any degree as defined in ORS 163.415, 163.425 and 163.427.

• “Family or household members” means any of the following:

1. Spouses;
2. Former Spouses;
3. Adult persons related by blood or marriage;
4. Persons cohabitating with each other;
5. Persons who have cohabited with each other or who have been involved in a sexually intimate relationship; and
6. Unmarried parents of a minor child.

Domestic Violence can take many forms:

Not all examples of domestic violence rise to the level of a crime but may still be part of an abusive relationship.  The following are some examples Domestic Violence behaviors:

• Hitting, strangling, kicking, shoving, slapping, biting, stabbing, burning, or killing their partner.
• Holding, restraining, or tying down their partner.
• Using objects, or a weapon to threaten or injure their partner.
• Threatening to harm or kill their partner or their partner’s children. (See Child Abuse tab for more information.)
• Destroying household or personal belongings, and/or hurting or killing pets.
• Preventing their partner from seeing friends or family, going to school, or getting a job. Monitoring partner’s mail, phone, and social media activities. (These may not be criminal offenses unless other activity is present.)
• Keeping all of the money under their control, monitoring partner’s spending, and/or refusing to pay the bills, or buy food. (These may not be criminal offenses unless other activity is present.)
• Stalking behavior such as following their partner. (See Stalking tab for more information.)
• Unwanted sexual touching and/or use of objects, sex after physical abuse, rape, and prostitution. (See Sexual Assault tab for more information.)   

Where can I get help? (See Other Resources tab)

• Contact a Victim Assistant or a Saving Grace Advocate for information and services.
• Make a safety plan – Practice how to get out of your home safely, include children and pets in the plan. What doors or windows could be used? Plan in advance where you would go, who you can stay with, and who can lend you money if you need to leave. If you plan to stay, is there someone who can stay with you, can you get your locks changed, or add other security measures? Contact a Victim Assistant or Saving Grace Advocate to develop a personal safety plan, obtain services, and resources to put your plan into action.
• Call 911 or Law Enforcement or Non-Emergency Dispatch when violence happens. (See Other Resources law enforcement section.)
• Seek medical attention when injured. (See Other Resources medical section.)
• Save as much evidence as you can to document the abuse, such as medical records, photographs of injuries, damage to your property, journal entries of incidents, or apology letters in a safe place.
• File an Order of Protection for your safety. (See Orders of Protection tab and OregonLawHelp.)
• The Department of Human Services - Self Sufficiency has temporary financial help for domestic violence victims and their children to assist with housing, relocation, and/or safety needs. 
• Research resources for your situation on a safe computer. (See Other Resources tab and Oregon Judicial Department Domestic Violence Resources and OregonLawHelp.)
• Research legal options for divorce and child custody using a safe computer. (See Other Resources legal section.)
• If you need emergency shelter in the state of Oregon, the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence lists all shelters and advocacy services in Oregon by county.
• There are some employment protections, landlord/tenant protections (Oregon Revised Statute 90.325, 90.445-90.459, 90.453, and 105.128), public record disclosure protections (ORS 192.368), unemployment insurance protections (ORS 657.176) and insurance protections (ORS 746.015) under Oregon law for domestic violence victims. Contact a Victim Assistant or Legal Aid for more information.