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The Clallam County Sheriff's Office is committed to your safety and the safety of your family.
IF YOU FEEL YOUR LIFE OR SAFETY IS IN JEOPARDY, DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY!
If not an emergency, call our 24-hour a day dispatch at 417-2459 to report the violation and speak to any one of our deputies who are trained to handle domestic violence issues.
The Sheriff's office firmly believes that a community that educates itself is a safer and healthier community. Therefore, we are providing the following information and resources in order to help you understand domestic violence and avoid the fear and danger associated with it.
1. WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?
A pattern of violent and coercive tactics
One person seeks to control the thoughts, beliefs or conduct of another
Non-violent tactics of control are often coupled with violence or the threat of violent acts
Violence, the threat of violence, or the fear of retaliation give the batterer the power to enforce the victim's compliance while reminding him/her of the consequences if challenged or resisted.
Physical violence may happen infrequently, but abusers use coercive behaviors every day which allow them to maintain control of the relationship.
Physical violence only has to occur once to create a climate of fear and shape future actions for the victim of domestic violence.
2. WHY DOES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAPPEN?
Abusive behavior is learned
Ending violence is NOT an act of will power or self-control
Violence will not end without intervention and a coordinated community response that hold the abuser accountable for every act of violence.
Without intervention, abusive behavior will not get better
Most abusers become more violent with time.
With time, the extent of injuries, both emotional and physical, will become more severe and frequent
3. WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?
Even if children are not physically abused themselves, family violence teaches children that violence is an acceptable way to solve their problems
Children who witness the violence can be emotionally bruised and more likely to repeat the cycle of violence in their adulthood
Children can often be injured in the course of witnessing family violence and are more likely to be abused than those not in homes with domestic violence
4. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?
The following list indicates behaviors that may lead to physical abuse/domestic violence in a relationship:
History of family violence
Use of violence to resolve problems, quick temper
Alcohol/Drug abuse
Jealousy with other relationships/friendships
Expectation that you should follow orders/advice
Mood swings
The following list contains signs of domestic violence:
Name calling/put downs
Isolation from family and friends
Withholding money
Actual or threatened physical harm
Sexual assault
5. WHAT CAN I DO?
Learn all you can about domestic violence
Seek support from caring people
Develop a plan to protect yourself and your children
Ask for information about your rights
Get legal protection
Ask for prosecuting attorney's office to file a criminal complaint
File a petition in Superior, District or Municipal Court requesting an order of protection from domestic violence
Seek help from your local domestic violence agency
6. WHAT CAN AN ORDER DO FOR YOU?
There are four different types of orders issued by the court system. These orders can assist with any of the following:
Restraining your abuser from further acts of abuse
Directing your abuser to leave the household
Preventing your abuser from entering your residence, school, business, or place of employment
Awarding you, or the other parent, custody of or visitation with your minor children
Restraining your abuser from molesting or interfering with minor children in your custody
A court order is strongly recommended to provide you greater protection, however police will arrest your abuser without a court order
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you are being attacked
7. WHAT ARE THE FOUR TYPES OF ORDERS?
PROTECTION ORDER
Civil order available to anyone over the age of 16
Must be a victim of physical harm OR be in fear of being physically harmed
Victim must have a current or former relationship with the abuser such as a family or household member, dating or having a child in common
Orders are available through District or Superior Court
There is NO CHARGE for Domestic Violence Protection Orders. Other Protection Orders can be available through District or Superior Court at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. 4th Street, Port Angeles.
Your abuser will be notified of the order and will be subject to mandatory arrest for violating the order
The order can be a "stand alone" order OR coupled with a No-Contact or Restraining Order
The order will remain in effect until expiration (usually 1 year)
YOU can choose to modify or drop the order by requesting changes in writing and appearing before the court
YOU have choices about your level of protection in a Protection Order
NO-CONTACT ORDER
Criminal order pending a criminal action
You can NOT obtain a No-Contact Order on you own. An incident must be reported to the police with criminal charges pending
The Judge must issue this order pending the release of a defendant from the jail, at the time of arraignment and at sentencing
Can be obtained through District or Superior Court for NO CHARGE
Abuser is provided with a verbal and written notice at arraignment and sentencing
A violation of the conditions subjects the abuser to mandatory arrest and additional criminal or contempt charges may also be filed
Will be dropped if pending criminal charges are dismissed and the victim many not be notified
Your petition may be denied to drop/modify the order
You may NOT have a choice on the level of protection you are issued in a No-Contact Order
RESTRAINING ORDER
Civil order that must be filed with another family law action (such as a dissolution or parenting plan)
Can only be filed when the victim and abuser are married or have a child in common
Can only be obtained in Superior Court
Filing fees apply but can be waived if unable to pay
Your abuser will be notified and subject to mandatory arrest or other charges if the list of criminal conditions in the order are violated
You have minimal choices about your level of protection in a restraining order
ANTI-HARASSMENT ORDER
Civil order available to anyone ho is seriously alarmed, annoyed or harassed by conduct which serves no legitimate purpose
No relationships usually exist between parties
Available through District Court with limited provisions for referring cases to Superior Court
Filing fees apply but can be reduced or waived
Violations can bring criminal or contempt charges
8. WHAT HELP AND SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
CRISIS HOTLINES:
Peninsula Mental Health
...(360) 452-4500
National Domestic Violence Hotline
.1-800-562-SAFE
EMERGENCY HOUSING & SHELTERS:
Healthy Families of Clallam County
. (360) 452-3811
24-hour Crisis Line
..............(360) 452-HELP
Serenity House of Clallam County
.(360) 452-7221
LOCAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGENCIES:
Healthy Families of Clallam County
......(360) 452-3811
Lower Elwha Klallam Domestic Violence Program
.
.....(360) 452-8471 x200
Jamestown S'Klallam Domestic Violence Support
...................(360) 681-4628
Forks Abuse Program
(360) 374-6411
VICTIM SERVICES:
Healthy Families of Clallam County
.(360) 452-3811
Clallam County Prosecutor's Office Victim/Witness Coordinator (360) 417-2368
LEGAL ASSISTANCE:
Pro Bono Legal Services
.(360) 417-0818
Evergreen Legal Services
.....................1-800-542-1647 |
