C:\LEGAL FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What is a Protective Order?

A. A Protective Order (P.O.) is a court order which requires your abuser to stay away from you, your children, your place of employment …wherever you go, for a period of up to two (2) years.

Q. What is an Emergency Protective Order?

A. If your abuser has been arrested for domestic violence, you can ask the judge that sets his bond to issue an Emergency P.O. that lasts 61 days. You will need to contact the judge yourself, the morning after the incident, or you can ask the police officer that completed the incident report to help you contact the judge. This must be done immediately – DO NOT WAIT!!! You can also call FAMILY HAVEN at 1-800-44-HAVEN. Once an Emergency P.O. has been issued, you will have enough time to contact FAMILY HAVEN and get a P.O. for up to two (2) years.

Q. What is family violence/domestic violence?

A. Family violence means an act by one member of a household against another member of the household that is intended to hurt, cause bodily injury, assault or sexual assault. Family violence also includes a threat, that reasonably places the member in fear that harm, injury, assault or sexual assault is about to happen to her.

Q. What do I do if my partner comes around me while I have a Protective Order?

A. Call the police, sheriff or constable in your area or call 911.

Q: I have pressed charges before and dropped them…will FAMILY HAVEN still help me?

A. The staff at FAMILY HAVEN understands how difficult it is to leave an abusive partner. We are here to help…NO MATTER WHAT!

Q. I am unsure about what to do…

A. If you are not ready to leave now, talk to us about setting up a safety plan.

Q. How do I contact Family Haven?

A. Call 1-800-44-HAVEN or 1-800-444-2836 (this number is answered 24 hours a day).