Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. According to the National Coalition of Domestic Violence, nearly 10 million people are physically abused by a partner annually. 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence – 90 percent witness the assaults.
Yesterday, a former Ohio judge who pleaded guilty to felony domestic violence was sentenced to 24 months in prison. The judge stood accused of punching, biting and choking his wife in an attack that put her in the hospital – all in the presence of their young children. Following the attack, the man was indicted by a grand jury on felony misdemeanor charges including kidnapping, felonious assault, child endangering and domestic violence. At Wednesday’s sentencing the former judge told the court, “I make no excuses…I beat my wife in front of my kids. I mourn the harm I did to my family.” His wife has filed both a divorce case and a tort case against her husband, which are ongoing.
Source: ABA Journal, “Former Judge ‘Ready to Be Punished’ Gets 2 Years in Domestic Violence Case”, by Martha Neil, September 16, 2015.
