What to Expect When you Call for Help for Domestic Violence Issues
More than one out of every three women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in this country, with over 20 percent of them being severely harmed. One in four men suffer violence at the hand of a partner. Half of non-binary and transgender individuals suffer abuse, and 37 percent of bisexual men experience domestic violence (DV). If you are one of these groups, you may fear the outcomes associated with getting police involved and therefore resist calling for help. That could be because you still love your partner, because you believe you deserve the abuse, because you are financially dependent on your abuser, or because you fear the judgments of family, friends, and co-workers. Some of that reluctance may be based on the fact that you just don’t know what to expect from law enforcement and others to whom you might report this abuse. So let’s address those concerns here
Police Response
Police are required to respond to domestic violence calls just as they would any 911 call, but in the case of DV, they are on high alert for potential violence occurring as they approach the scene. They often arrive in teams of two and already have information regarding an abuser’s previous criminal record. They will show up even if you tell them not to, and even if the call is a hang-up. Once they determine that the scene is safe to have a conversation, they will get you and your abuser out of one-another’s eye-and ear-shot, and will begin to delve into the situation.
Questions for You
Officers have a screening tool they use to determine the extent of the violence in your home. They will ask about whether there have been threats against you, your children, or your pets, or whether you truly fear for your life. Questions about access to guns will be important, as will questions about your abuser’s emotional state. Is jealousy a problem? Is there a recent issue with unemployment? Have there been threats or attempts of suicide? And of course, incidents of violence in your relationship will be asked about, with a special emphasis on episodes involving weapons and/or choking. From this information, officers will make a determination as to whether a crime has occurred and an arrest is warranted. Even if both parties contributed to an altercation, it’s likely your abuser will go to jail if it is determined that your life is in danger.
What’s Next
What’s next is up to you. The experienced Miami domestic violence attorneys at the office of Julia Kefalinos understand that this can be a terrifying time. You have a window of opportunity here to obtain a restraining order, to escape to a shelter or another safe location. Whatever you choose, we will fight to protect you with every legal tool we have. To discuss, schedule a confidential consultation in our Miami office today.
