The general assembly hereby finds that a significant number of homicides, aggravated assaults, assaults and batteries, and other types of abuse and coercive control occur within the home; that the reported incidence of domestic abuse represents only a portion of the total number of incidents of domestic abuse; that a large percentage of police officer deaths in the line of duty result from police intervention in domestic abuse situations; and that domestic abuse is a complex problem affecting families from all social and economic backgrounds. It is the purpose of this article to encourage the development of domestic abuse programs by units of local government and nongovernmental agencies.
Source: L. 83: Entire article added, p. 1136, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2009: Entire section amended, (SB 09-068), ch. 264, p. 1209, § 1, effective July 1.