Getting a Restraining Order
If you’ve been the victim of any kind of domestic abuse, it’s your responsibility and your right to protect yourself. One way to do this is to obtain a restraining order, which requires the person it’s against to remain a certain distance from you at all times. Breaking the terms of a restraining order is breaking the law.
One of the problems faced by victims of domestic violence is that they do not always know what qualifies as domestic violence. The following are some of the most common types of violence and abuse:
- Assault, aggravated assault, and battery; that is, physical violence or the threat thereof
- Sexual assault and sexual battery
- Stalking
- Kidnapping
- Any threats about any of these actions
If you have been the target of any of these types of violence, you may have been the victim of domestic abuse. Many people suffer from the misapprehension that abuse is domestic only if it’s committed by their spouse. This is not the case. Abuse can be considered domestic abuse if it’s committed by:
- Your current spouse
- Your ex-spouse
- Any person related to you by blood, such as aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents
- Any person who lived with you, such as roommates or boyfriends or girlfriends
- The mother or father of your child, even if you never lived together
To file for a restraining order, you must go to the courthouse in the county you live in, the county the abuser lives in, or the county in which the abuse occurred. Bring your driver’s license and ask to speak to a clerk, who will be able to help you fill out the necessary forms and can answer any questions you might have.
Contact Us
If you’re considering filing a restraining order and would like to know more about the process, contact the West Palm Beach divorce lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. by calling 561-353-2800 today.
