Domestic violence is all about control over victims. If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, it is a sign that your partner is trying to control you:
- Does your spouse or partner keep you away from your friends and family?
- Does your spouse or partner control all the money and keep the money from you?
- Is your spouse or partner jealous, believing you are cheating on them when you are not?
- Does your spouse or partner track or follow you?
- Does your spouse or partner check your phone call history and text messages?
- Does your spouse or partner prevent you from leaving the house?
- Does your spouse or partner humiliate you?
- Has your spouse or partner hurt your pet?
- Has your spouse or partner destroyed your house?
- Has your spouse or partner threatened that you will never see your children again?
Reporting Domestic Violence
Domestic violence cases can escalate, going from subtle attempts at control to physical violence or worse. These are some of the ways this happens:
- Has your spouse or partner physically abused you?
- Are you in imminent fear that you will become the victim of domestic violence?
- Do you have reasonable cause to believe that you are in imminent danger of being the victim of domestic violence?
The fear must be a reasonable fear measured on an objective standard. If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you can go to the courthouse and petition for an injunction for protection against domestic violence. There must be two or more incidents of domestic violence. It helps your case if the incidents occurred recently, within the last 6 months or within the last year. The more recent the incidences of domestic violence, the better it is for your case.
You can learn more by reading the Florida statute on domestic violence. The Domestic Violence Statute in Florida is Florida Statute 741.28, and it can be read here.
Community Resources for Domestic Violence
If you are a victim of domestic violence, then there is help available in your local community. Every county in the greater Orlando, Florida area has a facility with workers who can help you if you are the victim of domestic violence. You can go to the facility and learn about forming a safety plan for you and your children. Further, they can help you obtain an injunction for protection against domestic violence. Each facility will provide a victim advocate who will attend court with you.
The facilities you can reach out to for help are:
- Harbor House in Orange County harborhousefl.com
- Safe House in Seminole County info@safehousefl.com
You can also call these numbers:
- Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-500-1119
- Injunction/Court Advocacy offices: 407-665-4570
- Volusia County: mybeaconcenter.com
- Crisis hotline: Call or text 386-255-2102; 386-257-2297; 800-500-1119
If you have more questions regarding a Marital and Family Law matter, you may call Ann Marie Giordano Gilden at Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, P.A. at 407-732-7620 and set an initial consultation.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not form an attorney client privilege.