Delaware Crimes

Even if you do not qualify for an order of protection from abuse, the abuser may have committed a crime. If you call the police, they may arrest him/her for a crime and you may get a restraining order through the criminal court. Remember that even if you do have an order of protection from abuse, you can still report him/her to the police if you believe s/he committed a crime against you.

In our Abuse Using Technology section, you can learn the types of behaviors that are considered a misuse of technology. Some of these behaviors might be recognized as a crime depending on the specific laws of your state.

What are some crimes that the abuser may have committed in Delaware?
If I am the victim of a crime, where can I get additional help in Delaware?

What are some crimes that the abuser may have committed in Delaware?

Here is a list of some possible crimes in Delaware that the abuser may have committed. You can click on the links to read the legal definition of the crime in our State Statutes page:

• Assault (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd degree)
• Offensive touching
• Child abuse (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd degree)
• Reckless endangerment (1^st and 2^nd degree)
• Menacing
• Interference with custody
• Kidnapping (1^st and 2^nd degree)
• Unlawful imprisonment (1^st and 2^nd degree)
• Harassment
• Criminal trespass (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd degree)
• Trespass with intent to peep
• Rape (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th degree)
• Indecent exposure (1^st and 2^nd degree)
• Sexual extortion
• Unlawful sexual contact (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd degree)
• Criminal contempt of a domestic violence protective order
• Sexual harassment
• Interception of communications
• Identity theft
• Stalking
• Strangulation or suffocation
• Aggravated strangulation
• Reckless burning or exploding
• Violation of privacy, which includes posting and sending intimate images without consent. Note: You can sue the person who distributes intimate images of you or threatens to do so for money damages. See our DE Suing an Abuser for Money page for more information.

If I am the victim of a crime, where can I get additional help in Delaware?

The Delaware State Police offer victim assistance on their website. They also offer a 24-hour Crisis Emergency hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1.

For more information on the availability of victim compensation, visit the Delaware Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program or call them at 302-255-1770.

You may learn more about crimes by calling your local police department, sheriff’s department, or district attorney’s office. See our DE Sheriff Departments page for the contact information for your local sheriff’s department.

If you are a victim of domestic violence and have been charged with a crime, you can go to our Abuse Victims Charged with Crimes page.

Other organizations for victims of crime are listed on our National Organizations - Crime Victims page.