Domestic Violence
Your rights as a victim of Domestic Violence:
Victims of Domestic Violence have the right to go to Superior Court and file a petition requesting any of the following orders for relief:
- An order restraining the attacker from abusing the victim and other family members.
- An order directing the attacker to leave the household.
- An order preventing the attacker from entering the residence, school, business or place of employment of the victim.
- An order awarding the victim or the other parent custody of, or visitation with, a minor child or children.
- An order restraining the attacker from molesting or interfering with minor children in the custody of the victim.
- An order directing the party not granted custody to pay support of minor children, if that party has a legal obligation to do so.
- An order directing the defendant to make specified debit payments coming due while the order is in effect.
- An order directing that either or both parties participate in counseling.
Victims of domestic violence have the right to file a civil suit for losses suffered as a result of the abuse, including medical expenses, loss of earnings, and other expenses for injuries sustained and damage to property, and any other related expenses incurred by the victims or any agency that shelters the victim.
Victims of domestic violence should report instances of domestic violence directly to their local law enforcement agency. That agency will then contact the District Attorney so that a charging decision can be made. The District Attorney may file a criminal complaint in a case of domestic violence.