What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control by one family or household member over another family or household member through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. “Family or household member” means a spouse, former spouse, persons related by blood or marriage, persons who are residing together as if a family, or who have resided together in the past, and persons who have a child in common, regardless of whether they have been married or resided together.

Who can be a Victim?

Domestic Violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, ethnic or educational background.

Signs of Domestic Violence

• Threats or intimidation to gain control
• Belittling behavior
• Has control over what the person does or where they go
• Isolates them from family and friends
• Lack of trust, jealousy issues
• Control over family assets and finances
• Limits access to medical insurance
• Threatens to have the person arrested for something they did not do
• Threatens deportation, preys upon immigration issues
• Damages property
• Minimizes abusive behavior, victim blaming
• Substance abuse
• Displays weapons to threaten person
• Forces unwanted sexual acts
• Grabs, pushes, hits, punches, slaps, kicks, chokes, or bites individuals
• Threatens to commit suicide if the person leaves
• Threatens to hurt or kill family members (including pets)
• Threatens to hurt or kill the individual

If any of these things have happened to you, you may have feelings of helplessness, fear, shame, guilt and anger. You may blame yourself for the things that are happening and feel responsible for what happens to your abuser. There may be other problems in your home, such as lack of money, worry for children or other family members that make it hard to leave an abusive relationship. Please remember that you are not alone! There are people and agencies willing and able to help you.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS/COMMUNITY RESOURCES

EMERGENCIES – CALL 911

What is a Safety Plan and why do I need one?

As the victim in an abusive relationship, you do not have the ability to control or change your partner’s behavior. You do, however, have options that you can explore to help keep you and your family safe. Only you have the ability to determine with whom you may safely discuss your situation and possible options. It is a good idea to speak to people who may be able to help you before a crisis occurs so that you have a plan as well as an idea of resources that may be able to assist you. Things you should consider when developing your safety plan:

• Have an escape route, identify which door, window, stairwell or elevator offers the quickest way out of the home. Know where you plan to go, how you will get there and practice if possible.
• Keep money, keys, important telephone numbers, clothing and any other necessary items in the same place in order to assist you in leaving quickly. (Consider leaving cash, duplicate keys to your car and home, a day’s clothes and important items with someone you trust outside the home or at work, in case you have to leave without your belongings).
• Identify safety areas in the house where there are no weapons and where there are always ways to escape. If an argument seems unavoidable, move to a room or area with easy access to an exit to allow you to leave if necessary.
• If possible, have a phone accessible at all times and know the numbers to call for help.
• Discuss safety with your children. Identify a safe place for them and teach them to dial 911. Use a code word to teach them to call for help or leave the house.
• If the abuser does not reside with you:
  • If you have a restraining order, keep it with you at all times.
  • Vary your routes to and from work. Do not walk to your car alone. Park in well-lit areas.
  • Change your telephone number.
  • Install new deadbolt locks on doors, secure all windows and glass doors.
  • Trim all trees and shrubbery for an unobstructed view of the property surrounding the home.
  • Make sure your children’s school or daycare center knows who is authorized to pick up your children.
  • Install smoke detectors and purchase a fire extinguisher.
  • Alert your neighbors of your situation.
  • If you have a security alarm system, change the code.
  • Consider installing an alarm or security cameras.
  • Limit your postings on social media – don’t “update your status” or “check-in” at places, thereby disclosing your location.

Office of the Attorney General Address Confidentiality Program:

The State of Florida’s Address Confidentiality Program assists victims of domestic violence who are attempting to escape from actual or threatened violence through relocation. The participants are provided with an address designated by the Office of the Attorney General as a substitute mailing address in order to prevent their assailants from finding them. Through use of the substitute mailing address, program participants receive cost-free, security mail forwarding. The Attorney General serves as each client’s legal agent for receipt of mail and service of process. Victims who have left an abusive situation may apply. Please contact 1-800-226-6667 for further information (Office of the Attorney General).

Where can I obtain an injunction for protection?

Broward County Courthouse 954-831-7693, 954-831-5570 or 954-831-5579

201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale

What is stalking?

Florida Statutes, § 784.048 states, “Any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows harasses or cyberstalks another person commits the offense of stalking.” Aggravated stalking occurs when that person also makes a credible threat or continues such conduct after an injunction for protection against repeat violence, sexual violence, dating violence or domestic violence has been issued by a court of law.