Are You Abused? | Be Prepared | Orders of Protection | Get Help Officer Brenna Vaughn is the Domestic Violence Coordinator for Precinct 08 - Parkville. Officer Vaughn has extensive training and numerous resources to assist anyone who has questions about domestic violence issues. Please feel free to contact Officer Vaughn to find out how she can help you, or someone you love, with assistance or information about domestic violence. Officer Vaughn can be reached by e-mail at bvaughn@baltimorecountymd.gov or by telephone at 410-887-5446. Does the person you love... "Track" all of your time? Constantly accuse you of being unfaithful? Discourage your relationships with family and friends? Prevent you from working or attending school? Criticize you for little things? Anger easily? Control all finances and force you to account in detail for what you spend? Humiliate you in front of others? Destroy personal property or sentimental items? Hit, punch, slap, kick or bite you? Use or threaten to use a weapon against you? Threaten to hurt you or the children? Force you to have sex against your will?
If you find yourself saying yes to any of these, it's time to get help. Back to top Listen to your instincts - if you fear you are in danger, you probably are. Go to a predetermined safe room and call the police and/or get out if you can. Plan and rehearse ways to escape. Try to calm the situation long enough to get out, or look for a break in the violence and get yourself and your children to a safe place Pack an emergency bag with money, keys, important papers, extra clothes and prescription meds for you and your children. Keep it in a safe place. Teach your children about a safety plan and use of 911. Document abuse/incidents of violence by making a police report and keeping a journal. If you must communicate with the abuser, use a third party, such as a friend or family member. Know phone numbers to local shelters. Educate yourself about getting a Protective Order and once you have one, keep a copy with you at all times (at work, in your car, at the daycare center.) Set up a support system of friends or family who will give you moral support or a place to stay. If you have no one, contact a local domestic violence advocate.
Back to top These are court orders that you can get without a lawyer, which can prevent the abuser from further contact with you. The order can also get the abuser out of your home. Who Can Get a Protective Order? - A current or former spouse.
- Someone with whom you have a child in common.
- A cohabitant - someone you have lived with as a sexual partner for at least 90 days in the past year.
- Any person to whom you are related by blood, marriage or adoption.
- A parent, stepparent, child or stepchild you have lived with for at least 90 days in the past year.
- You may be eligible for a Peace Order if you are a victim of dating violence, harassment, stalking, trespass or malicious destruction and are not eligible for a protective order.
How Do I Get a Protective Order? - Go to a District or Circuit Court during normal business hours and ask the Civil Clerk's Desk for a Petition for Protection. (For after hours and weekends, you may obtain an Interim Protective Order at any Baltimore County District Court through the Court Commissioner.) There is no fee.
- You will complete the form and go in front of the Judge to explain why you feel threatened by the abuser.
- Be honest regarding recent and past incidents. Bring any photos, medical or police reports with you.
- If the Judge feels there are reasonable grounds to believe abuse has occurred, the Temporary Order will take effect once it is served to the abuser by a law enforcement officer.
- A Final Protective Order hearing will be held 7 days later.
- You may want to bring a lawyer, as the abuser may be there with a lawyer.
- The Judge needs "clear and convincing" evidence. The Judge may grant a Final Protective Order for up for 12 months, with a possible 6 month extension.
Call 911 immediately if your abuser violates the order. It is important to keep copies of your Protective Order with you at all times. Back to top | Baltimore County Court Locations | Catonsville District Court | 900 Walker Avenue, 21228 | 410-512-2500 | Towson District Court | 120 E. Chesapeake Avenue, 21286 | 410-512-2300 | Essex District Court | 8914 Kelso Drive, 21237 | 410-512-2000 | Circuit Court | 401 Bosley Avenue, 21204 | 410-887-2601 | Domestic Violence Resources | 24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline | 410-828-6390 | Family Crisis Center (Counseling and Shelter Agency - East County) | 410-285-4357 | Turn Around (Counseling and Shelter Agency - Central County) | 410-377-8111 | House of Ruth (Counseling and Shelter Agency - Baltimore City) | 410-889-7884 | Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office (Legal Assistance) | 410-887-6610 | Legal Aid Bureau (Legal Assistance) | 410-845-8550 | DSS Family Violence Unit (Advocacy and court accompaniment) | 410-853-3030 | Parole and Probation (Office of Victim Services/Victim Advocate) | 410-288-6159 |
Back to top Revised June 25, 2009 |
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