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Rule of Thumb
The U.S. passed Rule of Thumb Lawson order to reduce the amount of wife beating, as it stated only a whip the size of your thumb could be used for wife beating. -
Bradley v. State 2 Miss. (Walker)
Mississippi Supreme Court in Bradley v. State 2 Miss. (Walker) 156 (1824), decides that a husband is only allowed to administer "moderate chastisement in cases of emergency. . ." and can be convicted of assault and battery against his wife. -
Commonwealth v. Fogerty
A court in Massachusetts is the first to recognize the spousal rape exemption. The court in Commonwealth v. Fogerty, relies solely on Lord Hale's staement (1500's) in recognizing that being married to the victim was a defense to rape. -
Fulgam vs. the State of Alabama
"The privilege, ancient though it may be, to beat her with a stick, to pull her hair, choke her, spit in her face or kick her about the floor or to inflict upon her other like indignities, is not now acknowledged by our law." -
North Carolina courts barred criminal indictment for spouse abuse
North Carolina courts stopped criminal indictment for domestic abuse unless the husband‘s assault resulted in "permanent injury, endangered her life or was malicious beyond all reasonable bounds." -
Beatings become grounds for divorce in New York
Beating your wife as cruel and inhumane treatment, becomes grounds for divorce in New York, but it must be established that multiple beatings have taken place. -
New York Rape Shield Law
New York Rape Shield Law: Provided a general rule prohibiting evidence of a victim’s previous sexual history or reputation with exceptions in certain cases. The statute also provides some procedural protections for the victim and a right to speak in the proceedings. -
Take back the night
Annual Take Back the Night marches began in communities all across the country, bringing awareness to domestic violence and sexual assault. Take Back the Night also honors those who have died and those who have survived. -
California law requires written police domestic violence policies.
California law now requires that there be written police domestic violence policies. "California makes police intervention more effective by requiring police response, written policies, statewide officer training, and domestic violence calls record keeping." -
Interviewing in Private Settings Law Amendment in New York
New York: Interviewing in Private Settings, Executive Law Amendment that requires police departments and district attorneys' offices provide a private place when interviewing victims of sexual assault, rape, or domestic violence. -
U.S. v. Foster
"The U.S. Supreme Court decides the first civil domestic violence protection order case, in U.S. v. Foster, setting out the circumstances under which a battered woman can enforce her protection order and have her abuser jailed for violation of the protection order without barring under double jeopardy laws her abuser’s criminal prosecution for the crimes he committed against her when violating the protection order. This case was brought by a battered immigrant against her U.S. citizen husband." -
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
The VAWA is a law providing $1.6 billion for 6 years to provide services and resources for rape and domestic violence victims, and provides sensitivity training to police and court officials.
