What Is Domestic Violence and How Can You Protect Yourself From It?

Quick Overview

• Domestic violence can manifest itself physically, psychologically, sexually, economically, and socially. It is typically repetitive, escalates over time, and involves the perpetrator exploiting their power over the victim.
• As of July 1, 2025, domestic violence is also explicitly defined in the Civil Code. This provision is particularly helpful in proceedings involving children, victim protection, and taking action against the abuser.
• If you are in danger, call the police. If you are dealing with a long-term situation, start by creating a safety plan, preserving evidence, and consulting with a professional.
• Domestic violence can lead to criminal proceedings, divorce, child custody arrangements, restrictions on the abuser’s contact with the victim, and the division of joint property.

Are you dealing with domestic violence and unsure whether to file a criminal complaint, file for divorce, or file a petition with the court regarding the children? Describe your situation to us, and we’ll help you choose a safe course of action and prepare the necessary steps.

The Creeping Onset of Domestic Violence

Few people would jump into a relationship with someone who slaps them a few times on the first date. However, the dynamics of an abusive relationship are entirely different.Domestic violence is a long-term process that begins very gradually.

There are thousands of scenarios, but let’s imagine one of the more typical ones. It starts out idyllically—a flower on every date, regular messages, thoughtfully picking you up from work. Gradually, however, one partner’s interest turns into excessive control, and sarcastic jokes directed at the other may increasingly feel more like humiliation than innocent teasing.

This is followed by a subtle cutting off from family and friends, albeit under the guise of affection (“I love it best when we spend time together; I want to have you all to myself”). This process can take years and gradually pave the way for more severe forms of violence. By this point, the victim’s self-esteem has already been undermined, their support network has been weakened, and there are often children involved in the relationship, which makes finding a way out even more difficult.

What forms of domestic violence are there?

Domestic violence is by no means limited to “just” physical blows or slaps. We use this term to describe all of the following behaviors:

• Psychological abuse —such as humiliation, ridicule, extreme jealousy, interrogations, and constant monitoring.
• Physical abuse —such as slaps, blows, throwing the victim around, shoving, and restricting personal freedom.
• Sexual violence —keep in mind that there is no such thing as so-called“marital duties”(in the sense of one partner’s right to intimacy from the other) exists, and all unsolicited and forced intimate contact—even within a marriage or partnership—can be classified as sexual violence.
• Economic violence —this can include, for example, withholding financial resources when the other party has none, or prohibiting them from getting a job, controlling their accounts, or manipulating them through debt.
• Social violence —the aforementioned restriction of contact with friends or family, confiscation of a phone, and similar actions.

Why is domestic violence dangerous?

Victims sometimes try to downplay domestic violence even to themselves and try to endure it, whether because they are ashamed of their situation, want to keep the family together for the sake of the children, or were raised to believe that divorce is a bad thing. Sometimes they also excuse their partner’s behavior by attributing it to a current difficult life situation and believe that their partner will change.

What should victims keep in mind?

Domestic violence is a long-term process that, in the vast majority of cases, escalates and worsens. Victims are often heavily manipulated, have low self-esteem, and their boundaries of what is acceptable shift significantly compared to those of the general public or what they would have tolerated in the past. Victims often experience what is known as the “battered person syndrome.”

Victims of domestic violence often do not seek help until they feel that their own lives or those of their children are truly in danger. By this point, ending the abusive relationship has become difficult. Legally, the situation is very complicated because the abuse usually takes place behind closed doors and there are typically no witnesses. Without tangible evidence, the case may boil down to one person’s word against another’s.

It is difficult to avoid violence because the victim shares a home with the abuser, and it is usually not easy to change that situation. It is advisable to address the situation before another attack occurs or a dispute over the children escalates. We’ll go over with you what evidence you already have, what else you can safely secure, and whether it makes sense to file a criminal complaint, request a preliminary injunction, or take other legal action.

Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) is a psychological condition that often develops in people who have been exposed to domestic violence over a long period of time. It is most commonly described in women who are victims of abusive partners, but it can also affect men or occur in other types of relationships.

Key features of Battered Woman Syndrome:

• Learned helplessness—the victim gradually loses faith that they can change the situation.
• Psychological dependence on the abuser—the victim may perceive the abuser as the only person on whom they are existentially dependent.
• Distorted perception of reality—the victim may downplay the violence or make excuses for the abuser. This way of thinking is the result of long-term manipulation and psychological abuse.
• Intense feelings of fear and guilt—the victim fears the abuser but is also afraid of being abandoned by them.
• Low self-esteem and depression—victims often suffer from anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

How does the law define domestic violence?

The criminal offense that typically corresponds to domestic violence is the abuse of a person living in the same household. According to Section 199 of the Criminal Code, “anyone who abuses a close relative or another person living with them in a shared residence shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of six months to four years.” The penalty may be increased if the offense is committed in a particularly cruel or tormenting manner, or if it results in serious bodily injury or death, or if the offense is committed against at least two persons or over an extended period of time.”

However, the Criminal Code is not the only law that addresses domestic violence. As of July 2025, domestic violence is also explicitly defined in the Civil Code (Section 3021 of the Civil Code). The definition includes not only physical or psychological violence, but also the restriction of personal freedom, isolation, coercion, or the endangerment of basic necessities of life. This change strengthens the possibilities for intervention in civil proceedings—for example, in determining child custody or in restricting parental rights.

Not every case of domestic violence is handled the same way. Sometimes it is appropriate to call the police immediately and have the abusive person removed; other times, it is necessary to file a criminal complaint, pursue a divorce, arrange child custody, or file a petition for a restraining order. If you are unsure which course of action to take, an attorney can help you assess the risks and evaluate the evidence.

Domestic violence may also be accompanied by other criminal offenses, such as aggravated assault, assault, deprivation of personal liberty, extortion, violation of the confidentiality of transmitted messages, rape, abuse of a person in one’s care, violence against a group of people or an individual, and others.

A particularly sensitive area is sexual violence, which in many cases is part of domestic violence but is often difficult for victims to report for various reasons. Czech legislation in this area continues to work toward strengthening the protection of victims, including the prevention of secondary victimization during criminal proceedings.

Don’t wait for the situation to get worse

You might tell yourself that everyone deserves a second chance. So you might forgive the perpetrator the first time, perhaps explaining that they were under the influence of alcohol, had had a rough day, or had a big argument with their boss. But in our experience, someone who resorts to such behavior once will usually do it again. You can’t excuse such behavior by blaming it on drunkenness. Alcohol simply reveals a person’s true character.

Think About a Safety Plan

If you’re experiencing a similar situation, try taking the following steps:

• Talk to someone about what you’re going through. It will help you view your situation as an impartial observer. While that person’s account alone won’t be sufficient as testimony later on, it can be useful in adding another piece to the mosaic of the entire situation.
• Reach out to experts —there are numerous organizations and hotlines that specialize in this issue; they can advise you on the basics and refer you to psychological support. Definitely don’t underestimate the value of an experienced attorney. Domestic violence can lead to criminal proceedings, divorce proceedings, or child custody cases. If you’re facing a confident abuser, you need someone to lean on during these difficult situations.
• Keep evidence —if you have injuries, seek medical treatment and keep the medical report; if possible, take photos of your injuries.
• Document your financial situation —if there’s a possibility you’ll be dealing with a divorce later on, gather an overview and evidence of everything that’s part of your joint property. You can obtain copies of receipts, bank statements, photos of belongings, and so on.

Key organizations and institutions you can turn to include:

Nationwide Crisis Hotlines (24/7 and anonymous)

• Hotline 116 006: A 24/7 toll-free helpline for victims of crime and domestic violence, operated by Bílý kruh bezpečí.
• Hotline 158: In the event of an immediate threat to life or health, always contact the Czech Police.

Specialized nonprofit organizations

• proFem: Provides professional psychosocial and legal assistance to victims of domestic and sexual violence. In addition to in-person consultations, it operates information and legal hotlines and runs PORT, a comprehensive center for victims of violence.
• ROSA – Center for Women, z.s.: Provides comprehensive assistance to victims of domestic violence, including telephone crisis support, social-therapeutic counseling, risk assessment, and the operation of a confidential shelter.
• ACORUS, z. ú.: Specializes in assisting individuals at risk of domestic violence, offering crisis assistance, outpatient counseling, and shelter accommodations in Prague and the surrounding area.

From our experience, we know that certain myths still persist when it comes to domestic violence. What are they?

Myths Related to Domestic Violence

It is a problem limited to socially disadvantaged groups

Fact: Domestic violence affects all people and all social classes. We know from our experience that it does not spare even famous actors, high-ranking law enforcement officials, doctors, or company executives.

Domestic violence is a private matter between the two people involved

Fact: Studies have shown that when a man physically assaults a woman in a public place, bystanders are more likely to intervene if they hear the victim addressing the perpetrator formally, indicating she does not know him. Domestic arguments are often viewed as a private matter, even when they involve severe violence. Yet domestic violence is a criminal offense and must be prosecuted.

A man who is so likable and charming would never hit anyone

Reality: Sometimes the opposite is true. We know of a real-life example of a school principal who forced his wife to get up and clean at four in the morning because he liked to wake up to a tidy apartment. He responded to his wife’s protests by beating her—an act that took its toll not only on her but also on his designer watch and, later, a bone in his hand. Yet he was a sociable man and a joker, and those around him had not the slightest inkling of his other side.

She (or he) probably likes it. Otherwise, she would have left the perpetrator.

Reality: As we mentioned above, victims have low self-esteem and a distorted sense of reality. They are often threatened that their children will suffer the consequences, that their children will be taken away and they’ll never see them again, or that the perpetrator will find them anywhere and kill them. Combined with a dire housing and financial situation, this situation may seem insurmountable at first glance, which is why they often remain in it.

Domestic violence affects only women and occurs rarely.

Fact: Domestic violence is indeed more commonly perpetrated against women, but that does not mean the roles are never reversed. Female perpetrators may, for example, resort to psychological or economic domestic violence against men.
Nor is this a rare phenomenon. On the contrary, according to statistics, approximately one in three women and one in fourteen men experience it. We also see domestic violence against seniors.

There’s a Little “Italy” in Every Relationship

Fact: The ideal relationship probably doesn’t exist, and arguments (even heated ones) can occur in any relationship. However, it’s essential to distinguish between a highly emotional altercation between two equal partners and one-sided violence against a victim.

Do you have reports, photos of injuries, medical records, or witnesses, but aren’t sure which ones to use? Send us a description of the situation. We’ll help you organize the evidence and prepare your filing so that it’s clear to the police, the court, or child welfare authorities.

Summary

Domestic violence often begins subtly and escalates gradually. It can take various forms—physical, psychological, sexual, or economic. Its danger lies in its long-term impact on the victim, including reduced self-esteem, feelings of guilt, and isolation from others.

As of July 2025, domestic violence is also explicitly defined in the Civil Code. It no longer refers solely to physical attacks but also includes the systematic restriction of personal freedom, control, manipulation, intimidation, or the disruption of the victim’s basic needs. This legal change facilitates timely intervention and provides greater protection not only for victims but also for children who witness violence in the family.

Victims are advised not to wait for the situation to worsen but to seek help in a timely manner. It is important to have a safety plan in place and to know your rights. There are many myths about domestic violence that can prevent victims from seeking help; it is therefore crucial to recognize these myths and not let them influence you.