Help Available for Victims of Domestic Violence.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic violence is abuse of a spouse or intimate partner. There are many different types of abuse the domestic violence entails. These include financial, sexual, psychological, emotional and physical. Since domestic violence can take a toll on someone’s well being, they will often look to get immediate assistance. Fortunately for those who are victims of domestic violence, there are plenty of resources available. With these resources, victims of domestic violence will be able to get away from an abuser and get help in getting into a safe environment.
COUNSELING SERVICES
One of the resources available for victims of domestic violence is counseling services. This is an option where the victim is able to talk to a social worker or mental health professional. The counseling services will assess the situation as well as look for ways to get to a safe place. With counseling services, victims will be able to get information about shelters, contact law enforcement, medical care and contact with family members and friends.
SHELTERS
Another resource available for victims of domestic violence is shelters. These are locations where a victim can stay in order to get into a safe environment immediately after an incident. These shelters will provide assistance with a place to sleep, meals and access to medical care. They also provide victims with access to legal services. A shelter is one option that will enable a domestic violence victim to be protected from the abuser.
HOTLINES
Those who are victims of domestic violence can also use hotlines. A hotline is a phone number that a victim can call and speak to someone who provides counseling. With a hotline, a victim can talk about the most recent incident, their personal circumstances and advice on how they can get further assistance. This provides the victim with some valuable support while they look to resolve their situation with an abusive spouse or intimate partner.
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Domestic violence victims who have children can also get assistance for them as well. If a victim’s children are abused or threatened by the abuser, they can also get protection. Children can stay at a shelter along with getting counseling services. Any child who is a victim of domestic violence can also receive medical care as well. Child protective services can allow the children of a victim to be placed in a safe and secure environment.
LEGAL SERVICES
Whenever a person is a victim of domestic violence, they can also seek assistance through legal services. Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP, A domestic violence victim can get access to free or no cost legal services at any time. The legal services that they can receive include getting a restraining or protection order, filing a lawsuit, filing for divorce, getting custody of children and providing you with representation in court against the abusing party.
One of the first ways in which a lawyer can help a domestic violence victim is by drafting and submitting a protection order. This is a legal document that informs the abuser that they must stay away from the victim at all times. They are not permitted to be within a certain distance of the victim as well. If they violate the restraining/protection order, they will be arrested.
Another way a lawyer can help a domestic violence victim is by filing a lawsuit. With this type of lawsuit, a victim can look to recover any medical costs, financial losses and emotional suffering from the abuse.
A lawyer can also help a victim file for divorce in order to dissolve the marriage. With a divorce filing, a lawyer can help the victim work towards getting spousal support and some of the marital property.
With the help of an attorney, a domestic violence victim can also get custody for their children along with child support.
The assistance of a lawyer can provide domestic violence victims with representation in any court proceedings against the abuser. As a result, a lawyer is one of the most valuable resources that a domestic violence victim can use in order to overcome this unpleasant situation