Indiana University Bloomington

Domestic Violence

If you or anyone you know are the victim of domestic violence, get help immediately; there are many community resources designed to help you.

REMEMBER

You are not alone

It is not your fault

Help is available

University and Community Services for Victims of Sexual Assault

Domestic Violence is defined by the Indiana Code as:

IC 5-26.5-1-3 "Domestic violence" includes conduct that is an element of an offense under IC 35-42 or a threat to commit an act described in IC 35-42 by a person against a person who: (1) is or was a spouse of; (2) is or was living as if a spouse of; (3) has a child in common with; (4) is a minor subject to the control of; or (5) is an incapacitated individual under the guardianship or otherwise subject to the control of; the other person regardless of whether the act or threat has been reported to a law enforcement agency or results in a criminal prosecution. As added by P.L.273-2001, SEC.3.

The Domestic Violence Handbook offers a broader definition:

Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating.

Examples of abuse include:

Violence can be criminal and includes physical assault (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.), sexual abuse (unwanted or forced sexual activity), and stalking. Although emotional, psychological and financial abuse are not criminal behaviors, they are forms of abuse and can lead to criminal violence.

IUPD offers several self defense courses designed to educate and empower the participants. The Rape Aggression Defense System (RAD) is a program of realistic, self-defense tactics and techniques. The RAD system is a comprehensive course for women that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction, and avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. For more information, contact Sgt. Leslie Slone 812-855-4111.

National Toll-Free Hotline for Victims of Domestic Violence

1-800-799-SAFE (799-7233)

The Protective Order Project is a student-directed project at the Indiana University School of Law - Bloomington designed to help victims of domestic abuse obtain civil protective orders from the court, with the ultimate goal of preventing further abuse, both by restraining the abuser and by empowering the victim.

Local Resources

National Resources

Portions of the above information taken from the Indiana Code , IU School of Law's Protective Order Project , and the Domestic Violence Handbook .