Domestic Violence
Advocate Coordinator

Red Flags

• Blames others for own faults
• Drug/Alcohol use/abuse
• History of family violence
• Cruelty to animals
• Fascination with weapons
• Strong gender stereotypes
• Difficulty with authority
• Cannot express emotions verbally
• Treats partner like property, possession
• Isolates your from friends, family
• Blows up at little things
• Thinks it OK to resolve conflict with violence.

What Are The Roles of the DVAC?

• Attends court hearings and provides court advocacy
  for victims of domestic violence.
• Works collaboratively with other agencies to deliver
  services to victims and families of domestic
  violence.
• Provides trainings and support on the dynamics of
  domestic/family violence.
• Provides clients assistance in obtaining Protective
  Orders and information to prepare victims for their
  court experience.
• Provides follow-up and resources to victims about
  understanding the general legal circumstances in
  resolving domestic relation problems.
• Administers Danger Assessment on domestic violence
  victims, to recognize the increased risks of
  homicides if they chose to stay in their present
  relationships.
• Provides individualized safety plans to domestic
  violence victims specific to their needs.
• Provides options of transportation for court related
  dates and/or to the domestic violence shelter.

What is Family Abuse?
Family abuse is any act of violence, force, or threat, including forceful detention, which results in an offensive touching, physical injury or places you, a family member or household member in reasonable apprehension of bodily injury. If you are a victim of family abuse, you may request a protective order against members of your family or household, former spouses or persons with whom you a child in common.

What is a Protective Order?
A protective order is a document issued by a court to help you protect yourself, your children, and other family or household members from someone who is abusing you. A protective order can help set clear limits with an abuser and send a strong message that abuse is wrong. A Protective order is a civil legal remedy for family abuse.

The Three Types of Family Abuse Protective Orders are:

• Emergency Protective Order (EPO) - This order is usually requested by a law enforcement officer if an arrest has been made, or the officer believes there is a probability of further abuse. This order can be only issued by a Magistrate or a Judge and lasts only a short time (up to 72 hours or until the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court is held.) A victim of abuse can also make an emergency request for this order at the magistrate’s office even if an arrest has not occurred.
• Preliminary Protective Orders (PPO) - This order is issued only by a Judge when danger for further abuse exists but there isn’t enough time for a hearing with both parties. A PPO generally only lasts 15 days. A Preliminary Protective Order can be extended if the abuser/ respondent can’t be served.
• “Permanent” Protective Orders (PO) - An order that can be issued up to two years. These orders are issued if there is enough evidence of family abuse and both parties are present and talk about the abuse before the court. Then a Judge decides whether or not to issue an order. This Protective Order offers many options for protection.

In order to be eligible for a protective order, you must attest to having been subjected to or the victim of “family abuse”. This means you have experienced being hit, kicked, punched, shoved, bitten, burned, sexually assaulted, held against your will, forcefully restrained, hit with an object, threatened with a gun or other weapon and any of these things caused an injury to your body; or someone in your family threatened to do any of these things and you are in fear of them .

Contact:
Katrina Hancock
483-5088 ext.2407