Who is a Domestic Violence Victim?
Just who is a domestic violence victim? Well, the Tennessee State Legislature defines who is a domestic violence victim by statute. I am glad it is defined because it eliminates any debate. Here's the definition straight from the Tennessee Code.
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39-13-111. Domestic assault. — |
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(a) As used in this section, “domestic abuse victim” means any person who falls within the following categories: |
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(1) Adults or minors who are current or former spouses; |
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(2) Adults or minors who live together or who have lived together; |
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(3) Adults or minors who are dating or who have dated or who have or had a sexual relationship, but does not include fraternization between two (2) individuals in a business or social context; |
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(4) Adults or minors related by blood or adoption; |
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(5) Adults or minors who are related or were formerly related by marriage; or |
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(6) Adult or minor children of a person in a relationship that is described in subdivisions (a)(1)-(5). |
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(b) A person commits domestic assault who commits an assault as defined in § 39-13-101 against a domestic abuse victim. |
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(c) (1) Domestic assault is punishable the same as assault in § 39-13-101. |
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(2) In addition to any other punishment that may be imposed for a violation of this section, if, as determined by the court, the defendant possesses the ability to pay a fine in an amount not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200), then the court shall impose a fine at the level of the defendant's ability to pay, but not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200). The additional fine shall be paid to the clerk of the court imposing sentence, who shall transfer it to the state treasurer, who shall credit the fine to the general fund. All fines so credited to the general fund shall be subject to appropriation by the general assembly for the exclusive purpose of funding family violence shelters and shelter services. This appropriation shall be in addition to any amount appropriated pursuant to § 67-4-411. |
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(3) A person convicted of a violation of this section shall be required to terminate, upon conviction, possession of all firearms that the person possesses as required by § 36-3-625. |
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[Acts 2000, ch. 824, § 1; 2002, ch. 649, § 3; 2008, ch. 744, § 1; 2009, ch. 455, § 4.] |
It's nice to see the gender neutral language, but there should be one more provision, that female officer must be at least one respondent to every domestic violence call. Female officers are far less likely than male officer to be swayed by false tears of a woman claiming to be abused and far more likely to see that the male is the real victim.
Annette's Story: The Other Face Of Domestic Violence
http://TheOtherFaceOfDomesticAbuse-Annettes-Story.org
Read this and see what I mean. Please sign the guest book.