There is no easy or pleasant way to handle domestic violence situations in California. Victims of domestic violence and the families of the victims are all very vulnerable when facing abuse. In order to even begin an investigation into a domestic violence matter, the victim of the violence needs to make a domestic violence complaint to the proper authorities.
Many times victims do not want to bring attention to what they believe are family issues and they go unaided. The police and the courts are there to help people who have to deal with domestic violence, but they can only do so when they know about what is going on.
Many states have laws on the books pertaining to assault and battery, as these are recognized felonies. The perpetrators of domestic violence are actually often committing a felony against another person. There is a movement by some in the legal field to make it illegal for domestic violence offenders to have a gun. The Supreme Court, however, is having a difficult time narrowing the definition of domestic violence to a place where only those who are truly domestically violent as defined by the courts are prosecuted under a federal gun law.
Making gun ownership illegal for convicted domestic violence offenders is only one avenue that looks to protect victims in these cases. Orders of protection are also a way that victims can begin to move forward from a troubling situation. Temporary or permanent restraining orders require that the offender maintain a certain amount of distance away from the victim. Violating a protective order can lead to further legal sanctions and even prison where appropriate.
Reporting the violence is frequently the first step towards stopping the violence, and this can be done via an order for protection granted with the help of an experienced attorney.
Source: USA Today, "Gun law aimed at domestic violence offenders vexes court," Richard Wolf, Jan. 15, 2014