15 States with Toughest Domestic Violence Laws

Having in mind that it’s the 21st century, I think almost everyone knows what domestic violence is, but do everyone know which are the states with toughest domestic violence laws?

Domestic violence is something that should have been overcome ages ago. If we look at the greatest human achievements concerning technology and science, it seems almost impossible that still, the relations between people are not on the satisfied level. What’s more shocking is that not only random human relations are not “regulated,” if we can use this phrase, but quite often that’s the case with family relations as well. You would think that this is not your case, or that it is impossible your future spouse is capable of hurting you, but never say never. What is more, sometimes even the profession can influence the rate of domestic violence. Haven’t you read 10 Professions With Highest Rate of Domestic Violence? Even though usually a man is the one who is abusing a woman, there are many cases of domestic violence where a woman is a molester. However, this information are hard to get, as men could be ashamed of admitting it. It is not my intention to frighten you when it comes to your future marriage plans or professions, but I think it is very important to be aware of the issue, and also to know which are the ways to protect yourselves in case bad things happen. And there is still no better-invented protection than the state laws on domestic violence.

The first question that we should raise is how many states actually have domestic violence laws? As we are going to talk about the USA in particular, I am glad to announce that not only all of the states have national laws that regulate domestic violence, but this topic is also under the federal law. Domestic violence is considered to be a federal crime under the Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”). Moreover, since 2011, twenty-six local governments in the United States have passed resolutions declaring freedom from domestic violence to be a fundamental human right, and also acknowledged the responsibility of the government to ensure that right. On the other hand, there are still many cases of domestic violence and if you want to get familiar with domestic violence by state ranking check out 15 States with Highest Rates of Domestic Violence in the US. Just to realize how lucky you Americans are, take a look at the 15 Biggest Countries Where Domestic Violence is Legal.

In order to create our list of the states with the toughest domestic violence laws, we first searched for some suggestions on the respectable resources such as the Family Find Law, the Denver Criminal Defense, and the Merchant Circle, to mention a few. To make better acquaintance with the topic and in order to make a ranking of domestic violence by state, we used The Law Dictionary and the Special Report of the Stop Abusive and Violent Environment organization or shortly, SAVE. The Report “Ranking of States’ Domestic Violence Laws” features information compiled from other SAVE Special Reports and other documents and it was presented in five tables. We considered the information from each of the tables and ranked the states in that manner. For reference’s sake, we took into consideration information from the table of the Overly-Broad Definitions of Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence Arrest Laws and Harmfulness of Domestic Violence Laws by State.

Eager to read the results? Let’s look at the states with toughest domestic violence laws!

15. Colorado

In Colorado, the definition of the domestic violence includes stalking but excludes emotional criteria and harassment, which is a bit odd. However, the good thing is that the court must consider evidence of domestic violence in the child’s best interest. The law requires mandatory arrest in the case of domestic violence and for violation of restraining order. The overall ranking of Colorado is 34 out of 51 points on the list in the Special Report. In many states, as well as in Colorado there is a domestic violence hotline, which you can call in any time of the day.

14. Wisconsin

In the overly broad definition of domestic violence, the state of Wisconsin considers stalking as well. Moreover, the law requires mandatory arrest for the domestic violence, as well as for the violation of restraining order. In addition, it has primary aggressor laws. The overall ranking of Wisconsin is 41 out of 51.

13. Washington

On the 13th place of the states with toughest domestic violence laws is Washington. Definition of domestic violence in Washington’s law includes emotional criteria into assaults, as well as stalking. Moreover, the law requires mandatory arrest in the case of domestic violence and in the case of violation of restraining order. It also has primary aggressor laws. Its overall ranking is 41 out of 51 on the Report’s list.

12. Oregon

Law in Oregon includes in its definition of domestic violence emotional criteria as the assault, but says nothing about harassment or stalking, in contrast to the previous states. Moreover, the law requires mandatory arrest for the domestic violence and violation of restraining order. It has primary aggressor laws, as well. Its overall ranking is 41 out of 51 on the Report’s list.

11. New Mexico

Definition of domestic violence in New Mexico includes emotional criteria in defining assault, as well as harassment and stalking. When it comes to the arrests, there is just mandatory arrest for the violation of restraining order. Its overall ranking is 41 out of 51 on the Report’s list.

10. Nevada

In Nevada, the number 10 on our list of states with toughest domestic violence laws, a definition of domestic violence includes harassment and stalking. Moreover, the law requires mandatory arrest for domestic violence, and it has the primary aggressor laws. Its overall ranking is 41 out of 51 on the Report’s list.

9. Maine

On the 9th place of the states with toughest domestic violence laws is Maine. The definition of domestic violence includes emotional criteria in defining assault. Also, a definition of domestic violence includes harassment, without mentioning stalking. The law requires mandatory arrest for the domestic violence as well as for the violation of restraining order. Its overall ranking is 41 out of 51 on the Report’s list.

8. Iowa

In the definition of domestic violence in Iowa, there is nothing about emotionally based assault nor harassment, as it only includes stalking. However, the law requires mandatory arrest for the domestic violence as well as for the violation of restraining order. Its overall ranking is 41 out of 51 on the Report’s list.

7. Virginia

Definition of domestic violence in the law of Virginia includes emotionally based assault and stalking. On the other hand, it says nothing about harassment. In addition, the law requires mandatory arrest for the domestic violence and violation of restraining order. It also has primary aggressor laws. Its overall ranking is 46 out of 51 on the Report’s list.

6. New York

Definition of domestic violence includes both the harassment and stalking in the state of New York. Moreover, the law requires mandatory arrest for the domestic violence and violation of restraining order. It also has primary aggressor laws. Its overall ranking is 46 out of 51 on the Report’s list.

5. Missouri

On the 5th place of the states with toughest domestic violence laws is Missouri. Definition of domestic violence in the law of Missouri includes emotionally based assault and harassment. Also, when it comes to the arrest policy, it is only used for the violation of restraining order. It has primary aggressor laws. Its overall ranking is 46 out of 51 on the Report’s list.

4. New Jersey

Definition of domestic violence includes harassment and stalking in this state. Moreover, the law requires mandatory arrest for the domestic violence and violation of restraining order. It also has primary aggressor laws. Its overall ranking is 49 out of 51 on the Report’s list.

And now, let’s see the top three states with toughest domestic violence laws.

3. New Hampshire

Definition of domestic violence includes harassment, stalking and emotional criteria for defining assault in the law of New Hampshire. Moreover, the law requires mandatory arrest for violation of restraining order and their system values primary aggressor laws. Its overall ranking is 49 out of 51 on the Report’s list.

2. California

Definition of domestic violence includes emotional criteria in defining assault and stalking. In addition, it is the only state on our list that has pro-arrest for domestic violence, besides the mandatory arrest for violation of restraining order. It also has primary aggressor laws. Its overall ranking is 49 out of 51 on the Report’s list.

1. Alaska

Finally, on the top of our list of the states with toughest domestic violence laws is Alaska. You are wondering why? First, the definition of domestic violence includes harassment, stalking and emotional criteria in defining assault. Moreover, the law requires mandatory arrest for the domestic violence and violation of restraining order. It also has primary aggressor laws. Its overall ranking is 51 out of 51 on the Report’s list.