§ 10.2 Defining Domestic Violence

• Library: Rights of Foreign Nationals (OSBar) (2020 Ed.)

§ 10.2 DEFINING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Representing an immigrant survivor of domestic violence involves dealing with both state and federal statutes regarding domestic violence. Slightly different definitions of domestic violence exist among the statutes. It is important to realize that behavior that might not constitute a crime involving domestic violence under Oregon criminal law might still meet the threshold for qualifying for an immigrant visa.

There is no crime of "domestic violence" in Oregon. Oregon defines domestic violence as "abuse between family or household members." ORS 135.230(3). Family or household...