The Domestic Violence Incident Checklist is a form that contains a number of very basic labels or descriptions of Domestic Violence - types of behaviors that can lead to Criminal Charges.
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during a DV Offense -- or a series of DV Offenses, Police, District Attorneys, Victim Advocates, Victims, Offenders, Probation Officers and DV Offender Treatment Providers more readily understand what has reportedly happened
Better still, this Checklist makes it much easier for a Victim (or an alleged Victim) of DV to report what she or he has experienced during the (alleged) DV Offense.
It is important to understand that just because something is not on this list; it does not mean that it is not DV. Some DV Behaviors are probably not contained in this list.
Why is this Checklist Important to People Who Have Been Charged with DV?
This is a super easy way for a person who has been Accused, Convicted or taken a Plea with a Domestic Violence Enhancer to better understand precisely what he / she has been accused of doing and/or may have actually done; that is considered illegal behavior.
This Checklist -- within the Context of This Domestic Violence Treatment -- is about Prevention.
How can this Checklist help prevent DV? It is simple: Never do any of the behaviors that are described in this Checklist. Like NEVER!!! Even if you find yourself thinking about doing one or more of these things to someone, please get help. Think about it. Take a time out. Do anything -- other than hurting yourself or anyone else -- you need to do in order to prevent yourself from doing that.
Why not do any of these behaviors? ..... Really? Doing any of these behaviors can cause serious physical or emotional harm to the victim as well as to witnesses -- especially children. And doing such behaviors can also cause you to get another DV Charge..
What if I was accused of doing something on this Checklist, but I did not do it?
Unfortunately, at this point, you would not be in the DV Treatment with Dr. B if you had not been either been Convicted of DV, Taken a Plea for DV, or Been Placed on Diversion as a result of a DV Charge. Dr. B cannot change your charges or anything like that. If you have additional questions about that, you can always speak to an Attorney.
What if I did not do any of the things on this Checklist?
Good for you! One possibility is that you were totally framed and/or someone lied about you to the Police. And you are totally innocent.
However, here you are with charges. If that is the case, then one naturally asks:
- Are you still with this person?
- Would it not be Risky to stay with this person after they have done this to you?
- Why are you still with this person?
What behaviors are included on the DV Incident Checklist?
People who fill out this form are asked also to clarify the following as they check off items:
- Location Where Abuse Occurred
- Date(s) of Incident(s)
- Physical Injury, if Any
- Police Contact?
Those who fill out one of these Checklists are also advised of the following:
"WARNING: This form is provided to help you prepare for your hearing. You may keep it or you may file it with your complaint. IF YOU DO FILE IT, IT WILL BECOME A PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD AND WILL BE SERVED ON THE RESPONDENT AS A PART OF THE COMPLAINT."
Note: These are the Items listed on the DV Incident Checklist (Each of these might constitute Abuse in and of itself; or in combination with other behaviors that are or are not on this list):
- Name-calling/Directed Use of Obscenities
- Threatening/Harassing Phone Calls
- Threat to Injure Self
- Threat to Injure Others
- Threat by Physical or Sexual Abuse to Children
- Threat by Displaying or Pointing Weapon, or by Access to Weapon
- Threat by Cruelty to Animals
- Threat by Following
- Threat by Damage to Property
- Throwing Things
- Grabbing
- Shoving or Pushing
- Forcing Sexual Contact
- Physically Abusing Children in Household
- Sexually Abusing Children in Household
- Slapping (with an open hand)
- Punching (with a closed fist)
- Kicking
- Using Weapon
- Biting
- Choking or Strangling
- Beating
- Forcing Other to Stay in Closet, Room, Homes, or Other Locations
When digesting this list, one way to look at it is to accept that all the behaviors on there can be illegal. But in some cases, certain behaviors will be present, and it is clearly wrongful behavior; however, in some cases, the Charge does not contain it. On the other hand, sometimes the DA might stick what seem to be extra charges onto the Charge Sheet in order to influence someone to take a plea.
What are some Questions that you might have regarding the items on this list?
Perhaps the next thing to do after understanding this list and how it is used would be to work out ways of preventing this sort of behavior. This begins with accepting the fact that this behavior is never acceptable.
Think about this. What kinds of things can a person do to stop such behaviors, before they happen?
(Originally Posted. 9/7/2020).
(c. 2020, William T. Beverly, Ph.D., LCSW, All information on the Blog (Except where otherwise noted); are the intellectual and/or photographic and/or digital property of Dr. William T. Beverly, L.C.S.W., DVOMB Approved Offender Treatment Provider.).
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