DV LAW AND YOUR RIGHTS
The law is on your side if the instances of abuse are registered by the police or the hospital. This way, you can get protection much faster.
If the police come to your house or where the abuse is taking place, he must stay at the scene as long as you are in physical danger. OR police can take you to a safe place or hospital for immediate medical treatment.
You can call hot line 099-88-78-08 to arrange for your safety.
If you decide to go to shelter or to another location and you wish to retrieve your and your children’s clothes, documents and other belongings, you can request the police to accompany you, and in their presence you can retrieve your possessions –except for furniture.
UNDER THE NEW DV LAW YOU CAN RECEIVE:
WARNING: The police coming to the scene of the abuse will offer a warning to the abuser if the incident happened at the time and does not cause serious harm. The warning will not do anything else to the abuser.n It is very important to tell the police if the abuse has occurred repeatedly for a period of time. If the police then still give a warning, call our hotline 099 88 78 08
EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE ORDER: If the police are aware of the abuse or you have proof (like medical treatments of injuries, or witnesses), or the abuse continued after the Warning (and you reported this to the police), then the police will issue an Emergency Protective Order.
This order is valid for 20 days. During this time, the abuser is removed from the house by the police (even if the house is his property) and he is not allowed to approach you, your children or contact you via phone or SMS. During this time, if you still feel in danger, then you, the police or the Crisis Center lawyer can apply for a Protective Order. The abuse also may consist of threats, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. Make sure that children are also included in the Emergency Protective Order.
PROTECTIVE ORDER: This order is issued by the court and can be requested by the victim, police, or a lawyer from a Crisis center like the Women’s Support Center . Usually, you can ask for this order while you have the Emergency Protective Order or if the police registered a serious violation or abuse.
During Divorce proceedings or during a criminal trial, the situation can become extremely dangerous, and it is advised to obtain a Protective Order. This order can last for 12 months. In this order, you can add, besides your name, the names of your children and relatives, where the abuser might go and threaten or use violence.
Under this order, the abuser is not allowed to approach you and your children at home, school, place of work, store, at your parents’ house, etc. Nor is he allowed to enter into contact with you or the persons who are listed in the order.
It is your responsibility to inform the police of any violation, even an SMS. Based on the type of violation, the abuser can receive a fine and even jail time.
RECONCILIATION: NO ONE has the right to pressure you or convince you to reconcile with the abuser or return to your home. Your safety is of utmost importance under the law.