What You Should Do if You Are a Victim of Domestic Violence

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Domestic violence is a serious legal issue, and for those who are struggling against someone in their life who abuses them, it is critical to get the legal support necessary to protect them and also their family. Domestic violence impacts not only the victims themselves but also their family and their children.

A domestic violence lawyer can ensure that legal action is taken against an aggressor so that continued violence and danger are not an aspect of daily life for victims of this kind of abuse. We have years of experience in this area of the law, and we will make sure that you don’t have to live in fear.

 What is Domestic Violence?

In the state of Missouri, domestic violence is defined as the occurrence of any of the following actions:

·        Stalking

·        Assault which has the intention to cause physical fear or harm

·        Battery which causes physical harm without a deadly weapon

·        Coercion which is done to force you to take action or to stop you from taking action

·        Harassment which can cause you or your child or family members emotional distress

·        Sexual assault, which is when a sexual act is demanded by threat or coercion

·        Unlawful imprisonment, which causes the victim to be detained, abducted, or confined against their will

·        Abuse of a pet which can be done to harm the pet or to threaten the pet in order to cause distress or to exert control

Harassment can include following you or your child in a public place and peering in the window or lingering outside of your home. Stalking is defined as someone who purposely acts in a way that causes someone alarm for no legitimate purpose. Stalking can also be done via third-party devices, such as GSP trackers and other technology.

What to Do if You Are a Victim of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence victims are often so worried and fearful that they do not consider what their legal options are to protect themselves. While it is completely understandable to be scared and stressed, you need to be sure that you do not surrender your rights due to the violent actions of another person.

Knowing what kinds of legal actions you should take following domestic abuse can ensure that the legal process to protect you and your loved ones can be started as soon as possible.

1.      Hire a Lawyer as Soon as Possible

Hiring a lawyer as soon as you have suffered domestic violence is key. You need to be able to get the restraining order process started as soon as possible. This step must be completed before any further action can be taken against the person who has tried to harm you.

In the state of Missouri, this is called the Order of Protection. This is the first documented legal action that must be taken in these cases to be able to pursue more complex solutions. Without the Order of Protection having been placed, each act of violence toward you cannot be documented or used to help further the efforts of your legal team toward lasting legal action to protect you.

Hiring a lawyer begins all of the various legal steps that need to be taken so that you can protect yourself. Your lawyer will help you to document and report the actions of someone trying to hurt you. If your children or other people in the house are impacted, they can also seek legal support.

In some cases, divorce and child custody are behind the frustrations that have caused someone to try and harm you. Your lawyer can handle both the domestic violence aspect of the case and your divorce proceedings in these instances.

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2.       Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline

There are various domestic violence helplines and call centers. Some of these resources are regional, and you should have access to many options in your area if you need to seek advice or support. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is just one of the many options that are offered to those who are being subjected to domestic violence.

These programs can help you to know which steps you should take and they can also offer you access to a list of legal professionals who specialize in this kind of case. You might not be aware of all of the legal professionals in your area, but the helplines in your area should be able to help you to find the right lawyer to represent you.

3.      Follow the Advice of Your Legal Team

When you are scared for your safety, it can be hard to follow the letter of the law. It is important for victims of domestic violence to follow the limitations and strictures that have been placed on them by the Order of Protection. There are guidelines for the actions that can be taken to protect yourself during the early stages of a domestic violence case, and you need to follow them to ensure that your abuser can be held accountable for their actions.

Following the advice of your legal team is critical if you want to seek a prompt and favorable outcome for your case. You will also be less likely to end up in truly dangerous situations if you follow the advice of your lawyer during the domestic violence case process.

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Don’t Suffer Acts of Domestic Violence Without Legal Representation

Domestic violence is a very serious offense, and those who suffer from it should immediately seek the help of a skilled legal professional to represent them. Seeking long-term solutions to protect you from the actions of an abuser requires that various legal steps are taken correctly. Your lawyer will help you to navigate this process and stay safe while justice is enacted on your behalf.

Our team of skilled legal experts is eager to help you with your case. If you have suffered acts of domestic violence, you need to reach out to us today. We are ready to schedule a free consultation so that we can get started protecting you and your loved ones from the harmful actions of others.