Batterer's Intervention

Published on: December 15, 2024

Breaking the Family Cycle of Abuse

If you’ve recently been arrested in California for domestic battery, making criminal threats, or other forms of domestic violence, you may be asking a question that is remarkably common among domestic violence defendants: “How did I get here?” In reality, even if you are aware you crossed a line, you may be baffled as to how or why it happened–let alone how to stop it from happening again.

Domestic violence charges are serious and can have lasting impacts on your future. However, being accused of domestic violence does not make you a bad person—it’s an opportunity to reflect, understand, and change. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, it’s crucial to understand the role that upbringing and learned behaviors might play in your actions. For many, a hidden factor perpetuates harmful patterns from one generation to the next. We often refer to this as a “family cycle of abuse.” Simply put, if you were abused as a child, you’re at higher risk of becoming an abuser to your own family. If you feel you may be caught in this cycle of abuse, the good news is that you’re not necessarily doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. Let’s talk about this cycle and discuss some practical steps you can take to disrupt it.

Understanding the Family Cycle of Abuse

Published on: June 19, 2024

What Happens After I Am Arrested for Domestic Violence in California?

by Michael Kraut

California is known for having some of the strictest domestic violence laws in the nation. If you find yourself arrested for domestic violence–whether it’s for simple domestic battery or something more serious like criminal threats or corporal injury–there’s a high probability that you will spend some time behind bars, even before being officially charged. Understanding the process and knowing what to expect can help you navigate this challenging situation more effectively and with less fear. Let’s explore the key stages following a domestic violence arrest in California, from the initial arrest to potential court proceedings.

Immediate Arrest and Booking

Once law enforcement arrives at the scene of a reported domestic violence incident, they will assess the situation. If they determine that there is probable cause to believe that a domestic violence offense has occurred, they are required by law to make an arrest. In California, domestic violence is taken very seriously, and an arrest is almost always inevitable if there are visible injuries or other evidence of an assault.

Published on: February 23, 2024

Seeking Treatment When Addiction Leads You to Commit Domestic Violence

by Michael Kraut

Addiction and domestic violence are two complex issues that, unfortunately, often intersect–and more often than you might think. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that as many as 55 percent of all domestic abuse incidents occur after the perpetrator was drinking–and surveys of domestic violence victims suggest that number is as high as 67 percent.

Suffice it to say that if you’re facing accusations of domestic violence and are grappling with drug or alcohol addiction, you’re not alone. It’s not uncommon for someone struggling with substance abuse to act out of character while under the influence. Some may even “black out” and not even remember the incident–which makes it quite unnerving for them to find themselves facing criminal charges and protective orders after the fact. If this describes you, it’s crucial to approach this moment with honesty and a desire for change. Let’s explore the impact of drug and alcohol addiction on domestic violence to help unravel how you got here–and, more importantly, what you can do to remedy the situation.

The Link Between Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence