Domestic Violence Get Help

HOW CAN A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GET HELP?

1. Call The Police
If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can call the police or county sheriff for help. The law requires the police to provide you with:

* ADVICE
Law enforcement officers are trained to know and be able to tell you where the closest temporary shelters for domestic violence victims are located. If you are hurt, in need of food, clothing or counseling, the police can direct you to the appropriate community resource.

* TRANSPORTATION
Law enforcement officers can and should take you where you need to go to get help, whether it be the home of a friend or family member, shelter or hospital. The police can also take you to the prosecuting attorney's office if you want to file a criminal complaint. In all cases of domestic violence, leave the house, take your children with you, and bring your important things if this can safely be accomplished.

* EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Law enforcement officers are authorized by law to do whatever is reasonable to protect you from harm. The police can arrest the abuser if they have good reason to believe that the abuser has hurt you. They have an obligation to arrest the abuser if they reasonably believe the abuser has violated a court order by hurting you or coming to your house.

When you call the police . . .
If you call the police twice within a 12-hour period, the police must arrest the abuser on the second visit.

* BE READY TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HARM FOR AT LEAST A SHORT WHILE.
The police are only required to respond to your call as soon as practicable.

* COLLECT EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN BEATEN OR THREATENED.
When the police arrive, show them torn or bloody clothing, broken items or any other evidence of an attack (if you have any). Be sure to give the police the names and phone numbers of all witnesses to your attack, if there are any. If there is a court order that the abuser has violated, give the police a copy of it so they can arrest the abuser for violating the order. Do not give them your only copy, as you will be disadvantaged should you need to call the police again and do not have a court order to show them. You should also give the police a copy of separation or divorce papers, if there are any.

* ASK THE POLICE TO MAKE A REPORT OF THE INCIDENT.
Ask the police to take pictures of your injuries and to conduct an investigation. You should ask for the police officer's name and badge number so that he/she can be a witness for you in any civil or criminal proceeding you may bring against your abuser. Write this information down so you can report it to the prosecuting attorney if you pursue a criminal complaint.

* PREPARE TO TAKE YOUR ABUSER TO COURT.
If you do not pursue your civil remedies and also fail to press criminal charges against your abuser, the police may (although they should not) become less likely to help you in the future. In addition, your abuser may believe that he/she can get away with hurting you. Be prepared to take your abuser to court, whether it be civil, criminal or both.

2. Pursue Your Civil and Criminal Remedies.