If you are the victim of domestic violence, you may have no other option when dealing with whoever is harming you than requesting a no-contact order in Florida. This document prohibits a person from having any type of contact with you for the duration of the criminal case or until the court modifies or lifts this order.
The penalty for violating a no-contact order in Florida will result in a third-degree felony, which is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to five years in prison. These penalties will run consecutively with any existing sentence the defendant may have received for other offenses.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, you are not alone. Every day, thousands of people have their worlds destroyed by their abusers. Read on to find out some important safety tips that may keep you from further danger. Keep in mind that not all tips work for everyone in every situation. You do not want to engage in any actions that will place you at even greater risk.
Learn When to Call the Police
When you are in the middle of a heated argument, you may believe the best thing to do would be to call the police. However, it is important to know under what circumstances it would be appropriate for you to contact the authorities.
Mainly, call the police when you have been injured by physical abuse from your partner, when you are concerned for the safety of yourself or your children, or when the abuser is threatening to hurt themselves to get you to do something you do not want to do. If you are experiencing any of the above, pick up the phone immediately and dial 911.
Learn to Recognize the Signs
If you live with the abuser, you need to be aware of the signs that they are about to become violent. Assess the situation and how dangerous this may be for you and your children. If possible, try to remove yourself from the situation before the violence starts. Look to see if there is anything nearby that the abuser may use as a weapon.
Always remember to have any objects that may be used as weapons out of the way. If there are guns or other weapons in the house, know where they are at all times and lock them up or place them where they are harder to reach.
Should You Talk About Domestic Violence with Your Kids?
If you have lived with the abuser for a while and there have been periodic episodes of violence, your kids have likely witnessed much more than you would have wanted them to. Sit down with them during a quiet moment when you are alone and create a plan with them for when violence starts.
There are some things you may suggest to them to keep them safe. Among them:
- Tell them not to get involved when the abuser is hurting.
- Tell them that they should leave the house and go get help whenever they hear you say a code word that you will choose.
- If there is no way out, determine where the safest place would be for them to hide and call for help.
- Have them understand that their priority is to look out for their own safety.
- If there are windows or other ways they might escape, practice with them how they would get out so that they know how to when the need arises.
- Talk to them about violence and how that is never the right way to act. Explain to them that they are never responsible for the violence and neither are you. Have them understand that any time someone is being violent they should look for ways to keep themselves safe.
Are There Ways to Get Help?
Here are some ideas on how and when to get help.
- If the violent scene is developing in a public place, yell “Fire!”. It has been proven that people react much more swiftly to a fire than to any other emergency.
- Always have a phone by your side and save the numbers for the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE or 7233), your nearest battered women’s shelter number, and 911. Consider saving these numbers under the names of women in case your abuser looks through your phone. If you do not have your cell phone with you or have had to run out of the house without it, know where the nearest public phone is.
- If you know your neighbors and trust them, let them know what is going on at home. Make a plan with them so that they can help you during a violent episode. Ask them to bang loudly on your front door and call the police whenever they see a prearranged sign. This could be a light flashing or a piece of clothing hanging from a window.
- If you have a car, make sure the tank is always full and the car in your driveway is facing forward so you can quickly pull out. Depending on where you live, you may consider leaving the driver’s door open and the keys hidden under the mat. You may also want to store a copy of all of your birth certificates or Social Security numbers in the car should you have to leave at a moment’s notice.
- Have several excuses handy every day for leaving the house at different times of day that the abuser will find believable. This way, when you feel that violence is about to erupt, you will have an excuse to get out and put some distance between you.
