Domestic Violence
Bay Area provides advice and representation for victims of domestic violence. If you are in danger, contact The Spring of Tampa Bay or your local domestic violence shelter.
One of our domestic violence clients allowed us to put her story on video, to watch this video click here.
Domestic Violence Safety Plan English.pdf
Domestic Violence Safety Plan Spanish.pdf
Domestic Violence Safety Plan Chinese,pdf
Domestic Violence Safety Plan Korean.pdf
Domestic Violence Safety Plan Vietnamese.pdf
Is your abuser watching?
Your abuser may monitor your internet use and may be able to view your computer activity.
If you have reason to believe your computer is not secure, you may wish to use a computer in another location that your abuser does not have access to.
Click here for more information about Technology Safety Planning.pdf
ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Florida law defines domestic violence as any assault (threat or attempt to do bodily harm), battery (intentional, unlawful touching or striking), sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking (repeated, willful and malicious pattern of harassing or following), kidnapping, false imprisonment or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another.
Domestic violence can also be defined as a pattern of coercive behavior designed to exert power and control over a person in an intimate relationship through the use of intimidating, threatening, harmful, or harassing behavior. This definition includes multiple forms of abuse – physical, sexual, and emotional or psychological abuse.
Warning Signs of Domestic Violence
1. Uses physical or sexual violence
2. Threatens physical violence
3. Exercises economic abuse – controls all financial activity
4. Insults and calls the victim names in public or in private
5. Humiliates and belittles the victim in public or in private
6. Jealous and Possessive
7. Constantly accuses the victim of infidelity, without basis for doing so
8. Insists on deciding how the victim should dress
9. Isolates the victim from family and friends
10. Bans the victims from studying or working
11. Tries to prevent the victim from achieving any success
12. Destroys the victim’s personal property and objects of sentimental value
13. Threatens to reveal personal or damaging information about the victim to his/her family, friends, or employer
14. Uses child/children as pawn in relationship
15. Cruel to children or animals
16. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
How to protect yourself if you are in a domestic violence situation
1. If you are in immediate danger Call 911
2. If not in an emergency, contact the local police of sheriff’s department and file a police report.
Police Departments:
Tampa Police Department – (813) 273-0770
Plant City Police Department – (813) 757-9200
Temple Terrace Police Department – (813) 989-7111
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department – (813) 247-8200
Pasco County Sheriff's Office - 1-800-854-2862
Victims Advocate Unit (727) 844-7793
New Port Richey Police (727) 841-4550
3. If you have injuries, visit your doctor or the emergency room of the hospital.
4. Document the abuse in any way that you can. Take your own pictures of any injuries, even if the police have already done so. If you receive calls from the abuser, keep a log of the date, time and content of the call. Save messages left on your answering machine or voicemail. Keep all letters/cards sent to you by the abuser. Speak to any witnesses who may have seen the abuse and ask them to document what they saw for you as well.
5. If you feel as if you are in immediate danger, file a domestic violence injunction for protection (see paragraph on injunctions for protections for further information).
6. Contact the local domestic violence shelter - The Spring of Tampa Bay (Link to www.thespring.org website) Victims of abuse who meet agency criteria are admitted 24 hours a day. They must be: 1) a survivor of domestic abuse, 2) in immediate danger, and 3) have no safe and secure place to go. The Spring’s Survivor Services Outreach Program offers specialized services to adult victims of domestic abuse. The services include support groups, as well as information about safety planning and risk factors. All of the Spring’s services are confidential and free of charge.
Crisis Line – (813) 247-7233
Tampa Survivor Services Outreach Program – (813) 621-7233
Plant City Survivor Services Outreach Program – (813) 759-0000
Shelters for Abused Woman of Pasco County
Domestic Violence Counselor
East Pasco: Sunrise (352) 521-3120
West Pasco: Salvation Army (727)856-5797
7. Contact Bay Area Legal Services for legal assistance. Bay Area Legal Services provides legal services to domestic violence victims. Services include legal advice, legal representation at hearings for injunctions for protection, and referrals for victims of abuse. To apply, call Bay Area Legal Services at (813) 232-1343. Ask for an appointment with the Domestic Violence attorney; mention the date and time if you have an upcoming hearing. If in New Port Richey (727) 847-5494, and request an appt to speak with a DV attorney.
Bay Area Legal Services only handles the civil aspect of domestic violence cases. Victims who have questions about a criminal case that has been filed against an abuser should contact the State Attorney’s Office at (813) 272-5400 or The Victim Assistance Domestic Violence Program at (813) 272-6472 for further assistance. Pasco State Attorney, New Port Richey, (727) 847-8158.
Injunctions for Protection Against Domestic Violence
What is an Injunction for Protection?
It is a court order, sometimes called a “Restraining Order” that directs another person not to have any contact with you. An Injunction for Protection may order an abuser to immediately stop any violence or harassment, to leave the shared home, to avoid contact with the victim at home, work or school, or to attend a batterer’s intervention course and/or other appropriate counseling.
What are the requirements for filing an Injunction for Protection?
An Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence may be issued against a spouse or former spouse, a person related by blood or marriage, a person who you are presently living with or have formerly lived with, as if a family, or against someone with whom you have a child in common, regardless of whether or not you were ever married to that person or lived with them. If a person falling within one of the previous descriptions has committed a crime against you resulting in physical injury, or that person has placed you in fear by threats or acts of violence, and you feel as if you are in imminent danger, you may have grounds to ask the court to enter an Injunction for Protection on your behalf.
Where can a victim obtain an Injunction for Protection?
You may complete the necessary paperwork at the Circuit Court Clerk's office located either in Tampa or Plant City
Plant City: Courthouse Annex, located at 302 N. Michigan Avenue. The hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Petitions are accepted for filing until 4:00 p.m. The phone number to call is (813) 276-8100, extension 4524.
Tampa: Family Law Department, located in Room 101 on the first floor of the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs Street, in downtown Tampa. The hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Petitions are accepted for filing until 5:00 p.m. The phone number to call is (813) 276-8100, extension 4356
Forms can be dowloaded from the Clerk's website http://www.flcourts.org/gen_public/family/forms_rules/index.shtml or Check our legal links page on this website for direct link to print out forms. at no charge. They must be delivered to one of the above locations. If the forms are not notarized, you must deliver them personally and take an oath.
West Pasco (727) 847-8176
East Pasco (352) 521-4517
Pasco Forms: http://www.pascoclerk.com/public-courts-protective-injunctions.asp (scroll down)
There is no fee associated with the filing of an Injunction for Protection.
What information is needed to file an Injunction for Protection?
The victim, known as the Petitioner, will be asked to describe in the petition the actual incidents of abuse, threats of violence, stalking, kidnapping or false imprisonment, including approximate dates. The victim must state specifically the reasons why they feel as if they are in imminent danger.
What happens after the Injunction for Protection is filed?
An assigned Judge will review the petition that day and determine whether or not a Temporary Injunction should be issued. If the petition is granted, the Injunction will be valid for 15 days. A law enforcement officer must attempt to serve a copy of the injunction to the abuser, known as the Respondent, before the hearing. A Return Hearing is then held within the 15 day period. Both parties have the right to appear. The Petitioner must appear or the Injunction may be dismissed.
The Petitioner should be prepared to speak directly and clearly about why they fear for their safety. Photographs, witnesses, and recorded evidence may be used as evidence, that is why it is especially important to document any abuse. The Court will determine at the hearing whether or not to grant the injunction on a more permanent basis. Any violations of either the temporary or permanent injunction issued by the Court should be reported to law enforcement.
What can be done if someone is being abused or harassed, but does not meet the requirements for a domestic violence injunction as listed above?There are several other types of injunctions for protection available to protect those who have never been married to the abuser or lived with the abuser, are not related to the abuser, and do not have a child in commom with the abuser.
Injunctions for Protection Against Repeat Violence – may be issued if someone has committed two separate acts of stalking, threats, or physical violence, one incident being within the last six months before filing. This injunction is typically available for neighbors, friends or co-workers.
Injunctions for Protection Against Dating Violence – may be issued against an individual with whom you have or had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature, but have never been married to, lived with, or had a child with this person.
Injunctions for Protection Against Sexual Violence – may be issued if one incident of the following acts occurred, regardless of whether criminal charges were filed:
1) sexual battery
2) a lewd or lascivious act
3) Luring or enticing a child
4) Sexual performance by a child
5) Any other forcible felony wherein a sexual act is committed or attempted
It is a requirement that the sexual violence be reported to a law enforcement agency and that the person filing the petition cooperates in the investigation.
http://www.pascoclerk.com/public-courts-protective-injunctions.asp
For more detailed information concerning the different types of Injunctions for Protection, please visit the Clerk’s Website on Domestic Violence Frequently Asked Questions about Forms can be downloaded from the Clerk's websie Domestic Violence Frequently Asked questions www.hillsclerk.com/content/courts/domestic_violence/domestic_violence
2006 Domestic Violence Handout.doc