Section 741.28, Florida Statutes, aims to solve that problem with a clearly defined law of what domestic violence is: “any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member.” But the reaches of domestic violence go much further than that. The Florida Association of Domestic Violence identifies that domestic violence is rather a series of threatening and controlling behavior, where one member of a household, or former household, seeks to establish power over or intimidate another. These behaviors are disrespectful, abusive, and harmful. It is the role of an experienced Florida Family Law Attorney that can help you to prepare a Petition for Injunction Against Domestic Violence to protect you and your loved ones from someone trying to threaten your safety.
When you file for a Petition for Injunction Against Domestic Violence, you are asking the court for protection on temporary basis. This may include: removing the abuser from the house, keeping a distance from you and other household members, setting up temporary financial support, and establishing a temporary timesharing agreement for your children. These temporary fixes are limited to no longer than 14 days under Florida Law. After the two weeks, you will have to appear before a Judge, who will decide if you should have longer protection based on how serious and dangerous the situation is and what has happened in the meanwhile. During this time, counseling may be ordered for the abuser, or the victim, which can help to make the situation better. Therapy for the victim can also help to establish a support system for their healing.
Being a victim of domestic violence is scary. Victims typically feel like they are “walking on eggshells” or constantly “looking over their shoulder.” Seeking the protection of a domestic violence injunction is one way that an experienced family law attorney can help you to stop the cycle, gain some clarity and decide how to move forward for the situation to cool off and keep you safe.
If you feel that you are a victim of domestic violence, you should contact law enforcement immediately. Law enforcement officers are trained to handle these delicate situations and help victims to access community resources. Once you are in a safe environment, you should contact a family law attorney to help you to protect yourself legally and gain security for yourself and your family.
At Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A., each family law attorney has years of experience representing clients in family law and criminal defense matters. Contact Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. today to set up a consultation. We are On Your Side – At Your Side.