5.3. SR 02-18-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Problem Domestic violence is abuse in a family or house- hold and includes woman/spouse abuse, child abuse, incest, sibling abuse, and elder abuse. It is a common and serious problem in the United States. For people who have this problem, it always gets worse unless there is some type of intervention. · Every 15 seconds a woman is assaulted and beaten. · Every day, 4 women are murdered by husbands or boyfriends. · 61% of all rapes are of women under 17 years old. · 29% of all rapes are of women under 11 years old. · Prison terms for killing husbands are twice as long as for killing wives. · 25% of all crime is wife assault. · 70% of men who batter their partners sexually or physically abuse their children. · Domestic violence is the number one cause of emergency room visits by women. Victims of domestic violence and their abusers fit no specific category or stereotype. The abuse affects the lives of families from all walks of life, rich or poor, and from all races and religions. It is happening to members of this community. Sources: WAC Stats: The Facts About Women (The New Press); Women's Work Programs, Liz Claiborne, Inc. Services Include: · A 24-hour crisis telephone line to answer emergency calls for assistance. · Referral to a network of safe homes to provide tem- porary emergency housing. · Advocacy services to help a woman identify her needs, feelings, and goals. An advocate can help with: Going through medical procedures Filing a police report Obtaining an Order For Protection Applying for economic assistance Going to court Looking for housing · Support groups so that women can meet with other women and share concerns about the violence in their homes and explore ways of breaking the cycle of violence. · Youth Advocacy and Violence Prevention / Intervention Programs to provide education and sup- port to young people with abuse issues. · Transportation services for women who have no means of getting to safety or necessary appointments. · Community education for the public at large to en- sure increased awareness about domestic violence and the need for social change. · Intervention information and referral for the abuser. Order for Protection What is an Order for Protection? An Order for Protection (OFP) is an order the court makes to protect you from domestic abuse. It may direct the person who has abused you to: a. stop threatening or abusing you; b. leave your household; c. stay away from where you live, go to school, or work; d. pay support to you and your children if legally required to do so; e. enter a counseling program. An OFP may also award you temporary custody of your children and set up conditions for visitation. Who is elegible for an Order for Protection? You may file an OFP if you have recently been a vic- tim of an act of abuse, including pushing, shoving, grab- bing, slapping, punching, pulling hair, kicking, forc- ing sexual acts, or threatening with a weapon. You are eligible for an OFP if you and the person who has abused you: a. are married, or used to be married b. live together, or used to live together c. have a child in common d. are related by blood. Under certain conditions, you may also file an OFP on behalf of your child if she or he has been physically or sexually abused. What happens if an Order for Protection is violated? If the abuser assaults you, theatens you, or violates the order to stay away from you, call the police immediate- ly. In some cases, they are required to make an arrest. If the abuser doesn't follow another part of the order - for example, doesn't pay child support, doesn't attend counseling, harrasses you by phone, or doesn't abide by the child visitation order - Rivers of Hope can help you bring the case back to court. Where to go to get an Order for Protection For assistance in obtaining an OFP, or further infor- mation, call Rivers of Hope.