I have not been the victim of domestic violence or abuse, but I have had some clients who are. If you have a good, honest, and responsive police force in your jurisdiction, coupled with the court that is willing to issue protective orders AND enforce them, then police and courts can help.
Regardless of whether the police and courts in your jurisdiction do or not take domestic violence and abuse seriously, you should never rely upon law enforcement or the court’s to protect your life and physical safety. You and you and you alone are best equipped to protect your physical safety and life.
If the police and courts in your jurisdiction will not bring to bear their resources to protect you, then protect yourself. Get away from the abuser, if you can. Yes, run. Stay alive. The National Domestic Violence Hotline | Get Help Today | 1-800-799-7233 provides help for women and for men who are abuse victims.
You can complain all you want about your rights, but that won’t stop a bullet or a fist. Learn how to own and carry and use a gun for self-defense. learn how to secure your home with locks and surveillance cameras and alarm systems.
If you are the victim of domestic violence and/or abuse, report it as quickly as you can after it occurs. If you are threatened with domestic violence, report that too. and if you have any written or recorded evidence of those threats, make sure you share that with law enforcement and with the court. Not only can you report violence or threats of violence, you can take action to protect yourself from future violence by requesting a protective order or civil stalking injunction.
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277