Domestic Violence Questions and Answers
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What should I do if I am beaten or abused by my spouse, companion, family member, or lover?
- Call the police.
- Make sure you have access to house and car keys, and money.
- Go to a safe place for the night-a friend, neighbor, or relative.
- If you believe that you or your children are in danger of being beaten or abused, and that you may have to leave the home, keep a small bag packed with essentials for you and/or your children.
- If you are physically injured, go to a doctor or hospital emergency room and tell them what happened to you.
What are my rights?
You have the right to go to the Family Part of the Superior Court and file a complaint requesting an order called a temporary restraining order, also called a TRO, which may protect you from further abuse by providing relief including, but not limited to, the following: forbidding your attacker from entering the home you live in, or having contact with you or your relatives, or bothering you at work; requiring your attacker to pay support for you and/or your child(ren); giving you temporary custody of your child(ren), and requiring your attacker to reimburse you for any money you have to spend for medical treatment or repairs because of the violence.
You have the right to file a criminal complaint against your attacker.
You have the right to be informed of available remedies by the law enforcement officer who responded to your call. You have the right to assistance from the court clerk in filing the domestic violence complaint.
On weekends, holidays and other times when the courts are closed, the law enforcement officer who responded to your call can help you get in touch with a judge who can give you a TRO.
An attorney can help you protect your rights and ensure your safety.
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