§ 9-15-402 - Findings -- Purpose. - Arkansas Statutes

9-15-402. Findings -- Purpose.

(a) The General Assembly finds that:

(1) There are many resources to support victims of domestic abuse after the abuse has occurred. However, the issues of how to prevent spousal abuse and the possible solution of creating a safety plan for the spouse and the children in the household have received very little attention;

(2) Exposure to domestic abuse and spousal abuse has a devastating impact on both the children and adults in households and communities, regardless of whether they are direct victims of abuse or witnesses to it; and

(3) Children exposed to such violence at an early age are likely to become either perpetrators of abuse or victims of violence in adulthood, which is a cycle that can only be stopped through intervention and education.

(b) The purpose of this subchapter is to reduce the occurrence of spousal abuse and to reduce the exposure of children to spousal abuse by creating a safety plan for the spouse that is a victim of the spousal abuse and for the children in the household.