Understanding Domestic Violence ______________________________________________________________
The individual will either need to call the police to respond to a domestic violence incident in order to get an EPO, or you’ll need to go to the courthouse. It is recommended that they bring a timeline with them that documents the abusive actions that have taken place. Be as specific, detailed, and organized as possible. Victims can file for a protective order on their own, but it may be helpful to seek help from a victim advocate. Victim advocates work through local domestic violence or crisis cen- ters and can help victims find out if they are eligible to file a protection order, assist with filling out the paperwork, and can also serve as a guide throughout the process. To find agencies that might be able to assist with these services, individuals can visit a Resource Map online (https://victimconnect.org/ resources/search-resources/) or contact a Victim Connect Resource Center by phone by phone at 1-855-4-VICTIM (Victim Connect, 2022). Tips for enforcing a protective order include the following (Victim Connect, 2022): • Keep a copy of your protective order with you at all times. • Keep the original copy of your protective order somewhere safe. • Make sure that you review and fully understand your protective order. • If you have children, provide a copy for your child’s school. • If you would like any changes to your protective order, visit the clerk at your local court. • What do I need to file a protection order? A survivor may request the order also include their children, other family members, roommates, a current significant other, or pets. To find out individual state’s laws regarding pets and orders of protection, utilize this website (Wisch, 2024): https://www.animallaw.info/article/domestic-violence-and- pets-list-states-include-pets-protection-orders. Including other individuals means the same no-contact rules apply—even if the person(s) weren’t directly harmed. PARENTING WITH A PROTECTION ORDER AGAINST THE OTHER PARENT Co-parenting with a former partner against whom a survivor has obtained an order of protection is feasible, although certain precautions must be taken to ensure the survivor’s safety. The order of protection prohibits the ex-partner/ abuser from coming into proximity with or contacting the survivor. Therefore, clear guidelines for communicating about shared children should be established when filing the order of protection. These guidelines should delineate how child exchanges will occur without the abuser interacting with the survivor, whether outlined in the protection order or custody agreement (National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit, 2022).
‒ Determine relevance, reliability, and credibility of gathered information and evidence. ‒ Decide when appropriate to contact law enforcement personnel, and then coordinate investigations with them. ‒ Support criminal cases by providing investigative information. ‒ Write investigative reports that include summary of evidence and witness statements, conclusions, and recommended action. ‒ Testify in court, before grand juries, and at trials and hearings, including giving sworn depositions. 3. Community Education • Identify community awareness needs in the area of prevention, identification, and reporting of suspected adult abuse or neglect. • Prepare and deliver training or presentations on abuse prevention to financial institutions, and community, professional, regulatory, or law enforcement partners. • Give information to the public and community organizations on issues of adult care, agency programs, or available resources. • Participate on local multidisciplinary teams. • Present information at health fairs and other educational forums. LEGAL REMEDIES FOR PROTECTION The legal document known as a protection order, referred to by various names such as civil protection order, stay away order, or protection from abuse order depending on the state, mandates specific actions or restrictions on the part of the abuser. These orders are integral to the civil justice system. Typically, they require that the abuser maintain a distance from the victim, refraining from visiting their residence, workplace, or other frequented locations. Moreover, they may include provisions for requests such as child support, temporary custody, or sur- rendering firearms. Importantly, certain states allow victims to tailor their requests to suit their individual needs. In essence, the key distinction between restraining orders and protection orders lies in the nature of the relationship between the involved parties. Protection orders often necessitate the existence of a domestic relationship (such as spouses, partners, relatives, or cohabitants), whereas restraining orders may be pursued in cases where there is no such relationship, with the parties being strangers or neighbors. When there is no qualifying domestic relationship, victims may be directed to seek a restraining order instead (National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit, 2022)
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