Police Officers reporting to Scene of a Domestic Dispute are required by law to ask the following questions:
- Has he/she ever used a weapon against you or threatened you with a weapon?
- Has he/she threatened to kill you or your children?
- Do you think he/she might try to kill you?
- Does he/she have a gun or can he/she get one easily?
- Has he/she ever tried to choke you?
- Is he/she violently or constantly jealous or does he/she control most of your daily activities?
- Have you left him/her or separated after living together or being married?
- Is he/she unemployed?
- Has he/she ever tried to kill himself/herself?
- Do you have a child that he/she knows is not his/hers?
- Does he/she follow or spy on you or leave threatening messages?
Source: Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
Most of the laws relevant to domestic violence and sexual assault are based on state law. This includes: restraining or protection orders, divorce, custody, crimes, and more.
Here’s a link to a legal help manual that answers many questions survivors have: Self Help Legal Manual
