Domestic Violence. What you need to know

Transcription

1 Domestic Violence What you need to know

2 Domestic Violence A pattern of controlling and/or assaultive behavior that one person inflicts on another. Includes adults, children, teens, elderly and vulnerable adults. Crosses all socio-economic, religious, racial, ethnic, cultural, class, age and disability status groups.

3 Domestic Violence Warning Signs Does your partner: Insult you in public or in private? Check where you ve been and who you ve talked to? Put down your friends and family? Limit where you can go and what you can do? Destroy your belongings? Tell you that jealousy is a sign of love? Touch you in a way that hurts or scares you? Prevent you from leaving the house, getting a job or continuing your education?

4 Are You Afraid? Are you afraid your partner will harm you or your children? Afraid because you do not have the financial resources to leave or the emotional support of your family? Worried because your partner has threatened to take the children or hurt other members of the family? Do you feel somewhat responsible for your situation? Do you think the relationship will work if you can just show your partner you ll always be there for him/her, no matter what?

5 Are you in danger? Tell someone now Thurston County Court Clerk s Domestic Violence Liaison SafePlace National Domestic Violence Hotline SAFE(7233) Thurston County Sheriff s Office

6 Did you know That on average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day. In 1999, 1,642 murders were attributed to intimate partners. 74% of the murder victims (1,218 total) were women. U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics 2000 You are not alone If you experience any of these behaviors, please remember you are not alone-protect yourself and get more information about domestic violence. National Domestic Violence Hotline SAFE(7233) TTY TDD

7 Are you in danger? Tell someone now. Thurston County Sheriff s Office Lacey Police Department Olympia Police Department Tumwater Police Department Yelm Police Department Tenino Police Department Evergreen State College Police Department

8 And that Since 1997, at least 209 people died at the hands of domestic violence abusers in Washington State. Consistent with the national trends, about one-third of women who are murdered in Washington are killed by their current or former intimate partner. Washington State Domestic Violence Fatality Review, December 2002 Are you in danger? Tell someone now. Thurston County Court Clerk s Office D/V Liaison SafePlace National Domestic Violence Hotline SAFE(7233)

9 How are your children affected? 90% of children from violent homes witness domestic abuse within the home. 63% of all boys, age 11-20, who commit murder, kill the man who was abusing their mother. Daughters of abused women are six times more likely to be sexually abused as girls from nonabusive families.

10 And That.. Child victims of severe violence have a two to four time higher rate of trouble making friends, temper tantrums, failing grades and problems at school or at home. Abused children are arrested by the police four times more often than non-abused children. Children in homes where violence occurs are physically abused or neglected at a rate 1500% higher than the national average.

11 Is That What You Want For Your Children? Are you in danger? Tell someone now. National Domestic Violence Hotline SAFE(7233) SafePlace (24hrs) Crisis Clinic of Thurston County (24hrs) Thurston County Sheriff s Office Lacey Police Department Olympia Police Department Tumwater Police Department Yelm Police Department Tenino Police Department Evergreen State College Police Department

12 Statistical Reality An abuser who beats will do it again and again, and again. Study after study shows the abuse, if anything, will worsen each time. Sometimes the abuse leads to the hospital as it did when a 29-year-old Massachusetts woman was kicked repeatedly in the head by an ex-boyfriend. Sometimes it leads to death.

13 What can you do to help yourself Learn about domestic violence. Call 911 for emergencies. Seek medical attention if needed as soon as possible. Ask about your legal rights. Work out a plan to protect yourself and your children that includes: emergency arrangements for safety, escape routes, telephone, access to car and keys, important papers and phone numbers.

14 Obtain a Domestic Violence Protection Order Who may obtain this Order Any person 16 years or older. A victim of domestic violence. A domestic violence victim is anyone who is physically assaulted or threatened with bodily harm by any of the following individuals: family or household members, spouses or former spouses, dating or former dating relationships, intimate partners, roommates, or people with children in common.

15 What a protection order can do for you as the petitioner Restrain him or her from committing acts of domestic violence. Exclude him or her from your residence. Prohibit him or her from harassment and/or contacting you. Award temporary custody to one parent, establish temporary visitation, and restrain a parent from interfering with custody.

16 And Order one or both parties to participate in treatment or counseling. Prohibit the removal of children from the jurisdiction of the court. Award temporary use of a shared vehicle and possession of essential personal effects.

17 An order for protection can not Order child support, maintenance income, or assign property to either party. Establish permanent child custody, or the use of the family home.

18 How and where can you obtain this order? You will complete forms petitioning the court for a temporary order. You will be asked to describe the most recent events and/or threats and a history of domestic violence. A Judge or Commissioner will review the paperwork and may ask you questions. A decision will then be made on whether to grant or deny the order.

19 And Orders can be obtained at Family and Juvenile Superior Court. The forms and assistance are free and are located at the Family and Juvenile Court Division of the Clerk s Office. Office hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. You do not need an attorney to obtain this order (pro se).

20 What does a Domestic Violence Protection Order cost? There is no cost for victims of domestic violence.

21 Law Enforcement response if the order is violated Arrest is mandatory for violations of the restraint provisions of the order. Possible criminal or contempt charges may be filed against the respondent.

22 If you have witnessed domestic violence you can help Call the police immediately. Offer assistance to the victim. Often the victim feels alone with nowhere to run. Help the victim to develop a safety plan. Become informed, ask for information on domestic violence from your local law enforcement agency or the Court Clerk s DV Liaison.

23 Sexual Assault may include one or more of the Rape Child molestation following Sexual misconduct with a minor Indecent liberties Voyeurism Incest Custodial sexual misconduct Indecent exposure

24 What can you do to help yourself: Learn about sexual assault. Call 911 for emergencies. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Ask about your legal rights. Report to your local law enforcement agency. Sexual Abuse Hotline HOPE(4673)

25 Obtain a Sexual Assault Protection Order Who may obtain this order Anyone 16 years or older. A victim of nonconsensual sexual conduct or penetration with fear of future danger. This order can be filed on behalf of a victim by another. A prosecutor can request this order if a criminal case is pending. The order is filed in the county or municipality where the victim resides.

26 What a Sexual Assault Protection Order can do for you as the petitioner: Prohibit contact of any kind with the petitioner, and can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Restrain respondent from coming within a specific distance of petitioner s work place, residence, school, etc.

27 How and where can you obtain this order? This order may be obtained in Family and Juvenile Court, District Court, or Municipal Court. Petitions and affidavits alleging nonconsensual sexual conduct or penetration are filed with the court. A Judge or Commissioner will review the paperwork and may ask you questions.

28 And The Judge or Commissioner will then grant or deny the temporary order. A second hearing is scheduled in two weeks. After the second hearing, a permanent order may or may not be granted by the Judge or Commissioner. You do not need an attorney to obtain this order (pro se).

29 What is the cost of a Sexual Assault Protection Order There is no cost for victims of nonconsensual sexual conduct or penetration.

30 Law Enforcement response if the Sexual Assault Protection Order is violated: Arrest is mandatory for violations of the restraint provisions of the order. Possible criminal or contempt charges may be filed against the respondent.

31 If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault: Contact one of the following agencies for assistance Local law enforcement Monarch Children s Justice and Advocacy Center SafePlace Partners in Prevention Education ext. 205 Thurston County Clerks Office

32 Court Phone Numbers Thurston County District Court (also serves Lacey) Olympia Municipal Court Tumwater Municipal Court Yelm Municipal Court Tenino/Rainier/Bucoda Municipal Court

33 Court Addresses Thurston County Family and Juvenile Court nd Ave SW Tumwater WA Thurston County District Court 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW Olympia WA (also serves Lacey) Olympia Municipal Court 900 Plum St SE Olympia WA Tumwater Municipal Court 555 Israel Rd SW Tumwater WA Tenino Municipal Court 149 Hodgden St S. Tenino WA (also serves Rainier/Bucoda) Yelm Municipal Court 105 Yelm Ave W. Yelm WA

34 Thurston County Family and Juvenile Court Obtain civil protections orders (pro se) here nd Ave SW, Tumwater, WA 98512

35 Map to Family Court

36 From I-5 North/South Driving Directions Take exit 104 (Hwy 101/Aberdeen/Shelton). Exit on first off-ramp (County Courthouse/ South Puget Sound Community College). Stay in left lane and at stop light, turn left onto Crosby Blvd. At second stop light, turn right onto Mottman Rd. At stop sign turn left onto RW Johnson Rd. Turn right onto 32 nd Ave SW Family and Juvenile Court is on the left.

37 Thurston County Courthouse Complex 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW Olympia, WA

38 Thurston County Courthouse Complex Coming from either north or south on I-5, take Exit 104 off of I-5 onto Highway 101. From Highway 101, take the Cooper Pt. Road, Automall Drive, Crosby Blvd. exit. From Cooper Point Rd., turn right at the traffic light onto Evergreen Park Drive and continue approximately 3/4 mile. Turn left onto Lakeridge Drive for approximately 2 blocks. The Courthouse is located on the right.

39 Let Us Help You Take Control of Your Life Ask for help. Contact any of the following agencies to assist you: National Domestic Violence Hotline SAFE(7233) SafePlace (24hrs) Crisis Clinic of Thurston County (24hrs) Monarch Children s Justice and Advocacy Center ext.102 Salvation Army Thurston County Clerk s Domestic Violence Liaison Thurston County Sheriff s Office Lacey Police Department Olympia Police Department Tumwater Police Department Yelm Police Department Tenino Police Department Evergreen State College Police Department

40 This presentation was made possible through the efforts of Thurston County Sheriff s Office STOP Grant