What to doAt Crisis Connection, we understand that the abuse an individual experiences can be different and unique. Our main objectives are to support you and assist you and your loved ones with being safe. If you are experiencing abuse, here are some options and information that could be helpful to you.
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Medical Treatment:
Find Support:
Calling the police:
Protection Orders and No Contact Orders:
Protection Orders and No Contact Orders are often confused as being the same thing. While they both prevent the abuser to contact the victim, there are some differences between the two.
Protection Orders are valid for up to 2 years once granted by a judge, while No Contact Orders are put in place by a judge following criminal charges and only extend through criminal proceedings. Keep in mind that you can choose to extend your Protective Order when it gets close to expiration.
Protection Orders allow victims to protect certain places as well as people, and No Contact Orders only protect the victim. With a Protection Order you have the option to extend the order to cover family and household members, or even file on behalf of child.
Overall, Protection Orders offer much more than just eliminating contact between the victim and abuser. Protection Orders can offer help with retrieving personal property, evicting an abuser, establishing parenting time and child support, receiving reimbursements for any costs you have incurred as a result of the abuse, and much more.
Above all, remember that you can have both a Protection Order and a No Contact Order at the same time. Advocates are available for free help with filing Protection Orders.
- If you have sustained any injuries from an assault, it is important to seek medical attention.
- Injuries to your face, head, or neck could lead to serious problems in the future, including traumatic brain injuries and strokes. Medical treatment can find any internal injuries.
- Strangulation is very serious and is a high indicator that the situation can become lethal! Always see a medical professional if you have been strangled, even if you do not have noticeable signs or symptoms. Strangulation can cause serious internal injuries that may have a major impact on your health, and death can occur days or weeks after being strangled.
Find Support:
- Having someone you can talk to and trust when experiencing domestic violence is vital to your mental and emotional health.
- You are not alone. Contact a Crisis Connection advocate. Our advocates are trained to offer support to people facing domestic violence. Our services are free and confidential.
- Consider joining a support group, or other community groups, to build new relationships.
Calling the police:
- It is your choice whether to call the police and report the violence or not. Calling law enforcement may be beneficial for establishing evidence and getting connected to other services.
- Calling the police is may be necessary to get emergency medical assistance, to hold the abuser accountable, or to get the abuse to stop.
Protection Orders and No Contact Orders:
Protection Orders and No Contact Orders are often confused as being the same thing. While they both prevent the abuser to contact the victim, there are some differences between the two.
Protection Orders are valid for up to 2 years once granted by a judge, while No Contact Orders are put in place by a judge following criminal charges and only extend through criminal proceedings. Keep in mind that you can choose to extend your Protective Order when it gets close to expiration.
Protection Orders allow victims to protect certain places as well as people, and No Contact Orders only protect the victim. With a Protection Order you have the option to extend the order to cover family and household members, or even file on behalf of child.
Overall, Protection Orders offer much more than just eliminating contact between the victim and abuser. Protection Orders can offer help with retrieving personal property, evicting an abuser, establishing parenting time and child support, receiving reimbursements for any costs you have incurred as a result of the abuse, and much more.
Above all, remember that you can have both a Protection Order and a No Contact Order at the same time. Advocates are available for free help with filing Protection Orders.
SAFETY PLANNING
Safety planning is crucial if you are in an abusive relationship. In moments of crisis, having thought about and discussed a safety plan can help you react in ways that are safest for your situation.
Often abusers control many aspects of their partners lives. A good safety plan takes each aspect into consideration and changes as new situations arise. You should make a safety plan if you are in an abusive relationship, planning to leave an abusive relationship, or have left an abusive relationship. For a comprehensive, personalized plan, please contact and advocate. Until then, here are some things to consider:
Often abusers control many aspects of their partners lives. A good safety plan takes each aspect into consideration and changes as new situations arise. You should make a safety plan if you are in an abusive relationship, planning to leave an abusive relationship, or have left an abusive relationship. For a comprehensive, personalized plan, please contact and advocate. Until then, here are some things to consider:
In Your Home:
Outside of Your Home:
With Your Kids:
At Your Workplace:
If You Leave:
- When a situation escalates, go to a safe place in the home that has an escape to the outside.
- Stash a bag with emergency supplies for you and your kids, copies of important papers, and a cell phone in an area that can assist you or your children in fleeing.
- Keep car keys in a place that is accessible to you but limited to the abusive partner.
- Change the locks on the doors to the house and block windows and doors.
Outside of Your Home:
- Change up your routine and the routes you take to work, school, and/or daycare.
- Make sure to have a cell phone with you while driving in case the abusive partner follows your car.
- If you notice the abusive partner is following you, do not stop. Keep driving and go to the police station or other public place.
With Your Kids:
- Come up with a “code word” for children and a safe place, such as a neighbor’s house, to meet.
- Have your kids memorize important phone numbers or have a list at a neighbor’s house for emergencies.
At Your Workplace:
- Ask your employer to document any time the abusive partner calls or shows up at your place of employment. Include the time, date, and what was said.
- Discuss switches in your schedule or shifts that will make you safer at work, on breaks or while traveling to and from work.
If You Leave:
- Turn off the location settings on all apps on your phone.
- Consider changing your passwords and privacy settings on all technology and social media.
- Open a new checking/savings account.
- Involve your friends and family. The abusive partner may try to use them to contact or find you.
SUPPORTING A LOVED ONE
Friends and family that care for the victim in an abusive or controlling relationship can be impacted by the abuse as well. At Crisis Connection, we know it can be hard to know what to do when someone you love is being abused. Here is a list of Dos and Don’ts for you!
Do:
Don’t:
- Believe them unconditionally.
- Be supportive and respect their decisions.
- Remember that they trust you enough to tell you about the abuse. That speaks volumes. You could be the only one they have to talk to about the abuse.
- Remind them the abuse is not their fault and no one deserves to be abused.
- Take care of yourself. Self-care is an important part of supporting a loved one.
- Reach out to an advocate for support for yourself and your loved one, and to learn more about domestic violence.
Don’t:
- Be judgmental.
- Blame your friend for the abuse.
- Make excuses for the abuse.
- Try to work things out between your loved one and their partner.
- Confront the abuser. This can be very dangerous for you and your loved one.
- Escort your loved one to meet with the abuser or get their items from the place they shared. Ask for a police escort.
SELF-Care
Make a point to practice self-care for your own wellbeing. You must make sure you are in a healthy place yourself in order to be a healthy support for your loved one.
Some things you can do:
There are endless options for self-care, but the most important thing is to find something that works for you.
Some things you can do:
- Hike
- Read a book
- Meditate
- Take a break from digital devices
- Find a therapist
- Plant a garden
There are endless options for self-care, but the most important thing is to find something that works for you.
CRISIS CONNECTION INC. AND ITS STAFF OFFER SERVICES WITHOUT REGARD TO OR DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF RACE, MENTAL OR PHYSICAL ABILITY, ETHNIC OR NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, RELIGION, GENDER, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, POLITICAL AFFILIATION OR BELIEF, MARITAL STATUS, PLACE OF RESIDENCE, OR STATUS IN REGARD TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OR VETERANS STATUS IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS.