Domestic Violence: What You Can Do About It

* Important Resources

Court Call Off Tape 410-386-2360
Call this number to find out if your case is being heard.

If You Are Subjected to Domestic Violence:

• Call 911 or the police.
• Make sure a police report is taken.
• Obtain a copy of the police report and the police officer's name, rank and badge number.
• If you are injured, go to the hospital or your doctor so that your condition can be documented.
• If your injuries are visible, photograph them.
• If you need to leave your home because of family violence, but have no place to go:
  1. Call (410)857-0077. This is the 24 hour hotline at Family and Children's Services. They can help you arrange for shelter for you and the children.
  2. If you leave your home as a result of family violence, you can get your clothing and necessities from your home safely by requesting a police escort.
  3. OR, you can file for an ex parte order with the Clerk of the District Court. This is a civil order that can:
  • temporarily remove the abuser from the home;
  • order the abuser to stop the abuse;
  • and can give you temporary custody of the children.
• If the police respond but do not arrest the abuser, you must go to the District Court Commissioner if you want to file criminal charges.
• The Commissioner will issue either a summons or a warrant.
• If a summons is issued, the defendant will be served the charges, but not arrested.
• If a warrant is issued, the abuser will be arrested, but may be released on bail.
• You will then be a complainant, and the abuser, a defendant.
• If you bring criminal charges, you will be needed to testify. Once the application is taken, the case is the responsibility of the State, and only the State's Attorney can drop or dismiss the charges.
• You need not be present at all pretrial hearings. If you are needed at a pretrial hearing, you will be summonsed.
• You must keep the State's Attorney's Office notified of your current address and phone number.
• The State's Attorney's Office has a Family Violence Case Coordinator who will be in touch with you.

Safety

• Open a savings account in your name to increase your independence.
• Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, and extra clothes with someone you trust so you can leave quickly.
• Select someone who might be able to lend you money and/or give you a place to stay in an emergency.
• Keep the shelter phone number, some change and/or calling card with you at all times for emergency phone calls.
• Review your safety plan to leave your abuser.

• Keep your protective order on you at all times.
• (When you change your purse, that should be the first thing that goes in it .)
• Call the police at once if your partner violates the protective order.
• Think of alternative ways to keep safe if the police do not respond right away.
• Inform family, friends, and neighbors that you have a protective order in effect.

• If an argument is unavoidable, try to have it in a room with an exit and not in a bathroom, kitchen or anywhere near weapons.
• Practice getting out of your home safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevator or stairwell would be the best route to escape.
• In case you must leave quickly, pack a suitcase and hide it in an accessible place.
• Tell a neighbor about the violence so they can call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home.
• Have a code word known to your children, family, friends and neighbors that would alert them to call the police.
• Decide where to go if you need to leave home.
• If you assess a dangerous incident as life threatening, consider all options carefully.

• Identification
• Driver's License
• Your birth certificate
• Children's birth certificate
• Money
• Lease, rental agreement, house deed
• Bank books
• Checkbooks
• Insurance papers
• House and car keys
• Medications
• Address book
• Pictures
• Medical records
• Social Security card
• Welfare identification
• School records
• Work permits
• Green card
• Passport
• Divorce papers
• Jewelry
• Children's small toys

Services Provided:

• Assess the specific needs of each victim and make appropriate referrals to agencies and counseling services.
• Explain the court process. Give information regarding trial dates and bail reviews.
• Accompany the victim to court and answer questions or concerns regarding the legal procedure.
• Arrange for transportation, if needed, to the court location.
• When the defendant is convicted, we will help you in the preparation of the Victim Impact Statement and related forms.
• Should the defendant be placed on probation, we will help you to ensure that the terms of the probation are met.
• Offer emotional support to the victim.
• 911 cell phones for emergency.
• House security alarm for qualified individuals.