If you’re feeling controlled, isolated, or unsafe in your relationship, you are not alone. Intimate partner violence affects people of all backgrounds, and taking the first step to seek help is an act of courage. At Amber Kinney Law, we provide compassionate, trauma-informed legal representation to help survivors protect themselves, their families, and their futures.
What Is Intimate Partner Violence?
Intimate partner violence, also referred to as “domestic violence” or “domestic abuse,” is when a family member, household member, or intimate partner:
- attempts to hurt you physically;
- actually hurts you physically;
- intimidates you or makes you afraid of serious physical injury; or
- makes you have sex against your will by force or threat of force.
(ORS 107.705)
It is common for the abuser to engage in a pattern of behavior that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threatened action against another person. Abuse includes a variety of behavior such as physical violence, sexual violence, property damage, threats, stalking, cyberstalking, humiliation, and blame.
Are you being abused? Recognize the signs of Domestic Abuse:
Does your partner:
- Embarrass or make fun of you in front of friends or family?
- Put down your accomplishments?
- Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions?
- Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance?
- Tell you that you are nothing without them?
- Treat you roughly – grab, push, pinch, shove, or hit you?
- Injure you, cause you physical pain, or cause you impairment to a bodily function?
- Call you several times a night or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be?
- Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or physically hurting you?
- Blame you for how they feel or act?
- Pressure you sexually for things you are not ready for?
- Make you feel like there is no way out of the relationship?
- Prevent you from doing things you want to do, like spending time with friends or family?
- Try to keep you from leaving after a fight or leave you somewhere after a fight to “teach you a lesson?”
Do you:
- Sometimes feel scared of how your partner may behave?
- Make excuses to other people for your partner’s behavior?
- Believe you can make your partner change if only you changed something about yourself?
- Always do what your partner wants you to do instead of what you want?
- Try not to do anything that may cause conflict or cause your partner to be angry?
- Stay with your partner because you are afraid of what your partner will do if you broke up?
If any of these things are happening in your relationship, talk to someone. Without help, the abuse will likely continue. Making the first call to seek help is a courageous step.
Always remember…
No one deserves to be abused. The abuse is not your fault. You are not alone.
How Amber Kinney Law Can Help
Amber recognizes how overwhelming and frightening it can be for survivors to navigate the court system on their own. Amber has extensive experience assisting survivors of intimate partner violence understand the court process and learn about their options and their rights as criminal victims. Additionally, Amber can amplify a survivor’s voice in the courtroom to ensure their position is heard. She will represent the survivor with trauma-informed compassion and ensure their needs are met. Her highest priority will always be her client’s health and safety.
Amber is also experienced in restraining orders and stalking orders. Some situations may cause the survivor to pursue a restraining order or a stalking order as a layer of protection between the victim and the offender. These orders require a court hearing and a presentation of evidence to a judge. Contested restraining orders and stalking order hearings can become technical and those involved may want to seek attorney representation.
