In Cesare v. Cesare, 154 N.J. 394, 713 A.2d 390 (1998), the plaintiff sought a restraining order against her husband under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991, N.J. Stat. § 2C:25-17 et seq., following an argument concerning the dissolution of their marriage. During the argument, the defendant threatened that the plaintiff would never gain custody of their children and that he would never sell the family home or share its proceeds.
In Gaines v. Bellino, 173 N.J. 301, 801 A.2d 322 (2002), the plaintiff, a county corrections officer working the midnight shift, alleged that a coworker kissed her without consent and subsequently harassed her by making repeated references to the incident and threatening remarks about rape. Although the plaintiff reported the conduct to her superiors, no action was taken for nearly two years. When the warden eventually met with her, she declined to file a formal complaint due to fear of retaliation.
In the case In re Civil Commitment of W.X.C., 204 N.J. 179, 8 A.3d 174 (2010), the defendant was convicted of multiple violent sexual offenses after burglarizing two homes. In one incident, he raped a woman while threatening her with a knife, and in another, he raped a woman while threatening her with a gun. He also entered a nursing home, forced a female resident into a bedroom, and demanded that she perform oral sex. The defendant entered a plea agreement that resulted in a twenty-four-year prison sentence with twelve years of parole ineligibility.
In Lehmann v. Toys 'R' Us, Inc., 132 N.J. 587, 626 A.2d 445 (1993), the plaintiff was employed by the defendant as a file clerk and was later promoted to supervisory positions. After a new supervisor was hired, he began sexually harassing female employees, including the plaintiff, through repeated offensive comments and unwanted touching. The plaintiff reported the incidents to the supervisor’s superior but was told to handle the matter herself.
In the case Mancini v. Township of Teaneck, 179 N.J. 425, 846 A.2d 596 (2004), the plaintiff, a police officer, alleged pervasive sex discrimination and sexual harassment during her employment with the Township of Teaneck Police Department. From the beginning of her service, she was subjected to a hostile work environment created by both supervisors and coworkers who believed that policing was not a job for women.
Before the parties’ divorce, the plaintiff filed two domestic violence complaints against the defendant. Following the first complaint, police officers confiscated the defendant’s firearms and his firearms purchaser identification card. The weapons were later returned after the matter was resolved. While the divorce proceedings were pending, a second complaint was filed after the plaintiff went to the defendant’s home to pick up their son. Police again seized the defendant’s weapons.
