- Home
- Departments
- District Attorney
- Crime Victims Services
- Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence (DV) is a pattern of behavior and coercive control that may include physical, emotional, verbal, psychological, economic/financial, and/or sexual abuse perpetrated by one person to gain and maintain power and control over another within a family or intimate relationship. DV can occur between spouses, intimate partners, family members, and within dating relationships. DV can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, sex, education level, religion, or economic status. Teens and elders can also experience these forms of abuse.
Domestic Violence occurs when a person does a variety of thing to control another person in an intimate relationship. Ways in which a person might try to gain power and control are illustrated in the power and control wheel below.

How do I determine if what I’m experiencing is Domestic Violence?
You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship if your partner:
Who must register as a sex offender?
Anyone who was on parole, probation, or incarcerated for a sex offensive on or after January 21st 1996 must register as a sex offender with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Service (DCJS).
In addition, offenders convicted of a sex offense on or after that date, or sentenced to probation, local jail, or state prison after that date must register upon returning to the community.
There are three different levels of sex offenders, each classified by the risk of re-offense. The Court determines whether an offender is a level 1 (low risk), level 2 (moderate risk), or level 3 (high risk). The Court also determines whether an offender should be given the designation of a sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender. Offenders are required to be registered for 20 years or life. Level 1 offenders with no designation must register for 20 years. Level 1 offenders with no designation must register for twenty years. Level 1 Offenders with a designation, as well as level 2 and level 3 offenders regardless of whether they have a designation must register for life.
Does the law restrict where an offender can live?
The Sex Offender Registration Act does not restrict where a registered sex offender may live. However, if the offender is on parole or probation, other NYS laws may limit the offender from living within 1,000 feet of a school or other facility caring for children.
For more information, visit, Megan's Law
Domestic Violence (DV) is a pattern of behavior and coercive control that may include physical, emotional, verbal, psychological, economic/financial, and/or sexual abuse perpetrated by one person to gain and maintain power and control over another within a family or intimate relationship. DV can occur between spouses, intimate partners, family members, and within dating relationships. DV can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, sex, education level, religion, or economic status. Teens and elders can also experience these forms of abuse.
Domestic Violence occurs when a person does a variety of thing to control another person in an intimate relationship. Ways in which a person might try to gain power and control are illustrated in the power and control wheel below.
How do I determine if what I’m experiencing is Domestic Violence?
You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship if your partner:
- Calls you names, insults you or continually criticizes you
- Does not trust you and acts jealous or possessive
- Tries to isolate you from family or friends
- Monitors where you go, who you call and who you spend time with
- Does not want you to work
- Control finances or refuses to share money
- Punishes you by withholding affection
- Expects you to ask permission
- Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family or your pets
- Humiliates you in any way
- Damaged property when angry (thrown objects, punched walls, kicked doors, etc.)
- Pushed, slapped, bitten, kicked or chocked you
- Abandoned you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place
- Scared you by driving recklessly
- Used a weapon to threaten or hurt you
- Forced you to leave your home
- Trapped you in your home or kept you from leaving
- Prevented you from calling police or seeking medical attention
- Hurt your children
- Used physical force in sexual situations
- Views women as objects and believes in rigid gender roles
- Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside relationships
- Wants you to dress in a sexual
- Insults you in sexual ways or calls you sexual names
- Has ever forced manipulated you into to having sex or performing sexual acts
- Held you down during sex
- Demanded sex when you were sick, tired, or after beating you
- Hurt you with weapons or objects during sex
- Involved other people in sexual activities with you
- Ignored your feelings regarding sex
Who must register as a sex offender?
Anyone who was on parole, probation, or incarcerated for a sex offensive on or after January 21st 1996 must register as a sex offender with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Service (DCJS).
In addition, offenders convicted of a sex offense on or after that date, or sentenced to probation, local jail, or state prison after that date must register upon returning to the community.
There are three different levels of sex offenders, each classified by the risk of re-offense. The Court determines whether an offender is a level 1 (low risk), level 2 (moderate risk), or level 3 (high risk). The Court also determines whether an offender should be given the designation of a sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender. Offenders are required to be registered for 20 years or life. Level 1 offenders with no designation must register for 20 years. Level 1 offenders with no designation must register for twenty years. Level 1 Offenders with a designation, as well as level 2 and level 3 offenders regardless of whether they have a designation must register for life.
Does the law restrict where an offender can live?
The Sex Offender Registration Act does not restrict where a registered sex offender may live. However, if the offender is on parole or probation, other NYS laws may limit the offender from living within 1,000 feet of a school or other facility caring for children.
For more information, visit, Megan's Law
Contact Us
-
Crime Victims Services
Kristen M. Plyter, Coordinator
105 Ninth St. Unit 26
Watkins Glen, NY 14891Ph: (607) 535-8387
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 4:30 pm