This year, the increased attention on domestic violence in the media has placed a much needed light on this issue which touches families throughout the country. In Connecticut, 11 women have already died this year in domestic violence-related situations. In order to highlight the dangers and risks facing domestic violence victims, the Center for Family Justice recently held a major fundraiser. The organization has served over 5,000 sexual assault and domestic violence victims throughout Connecticut including Stratford, Trumbull, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Monroe, and Easton.
The Center For Family Justice
In 2013, the Eastern Fairfield County Center for Women and Families began its transformation into the Center for Family Justice. The Center for Family Justice was created to provide coordinated responses and services for sexual assault and domestic violence victims. The Center for Family Justice is made up of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals including victims rights advocates, state and local prosecutors, police officials, and other professionals who can prevent and facilitate the prosecution of sexual assault and domestic violence. The Center is Connecticut’s first Family Justice Center and provides coordinated responses, collaborative advocacy, and a wide range of social services in order to empower victims to be able to break the cycles of violence and assault in their lives. Instead of requiring victims to separately contact law enforcement, child services, and other organizations about their assaults, the Center for Family Justice provides victims a one-stop center to report the abuse that they have endured.
Connecticut Law and Domestic Violence
Victims of domestic violence should immediately report attacks and injuries sustained to their local police. At the time that the violence is reported, a victim has the option of having a restraining order entered against the accused assailant. A family domestic violence restraining order can be used to legally prohibit an attacker from contacting and being in physical proximity to a domestic violence victim. All household and/or family members can apply for a domestic violence restraining order if they are subjected to continuous physical injuries and/or threats of physical injuries by another member of their household or family. If the domestic violence restraining order is granted, the order can:
- Prohibit the accused from entering and living in the family dwelling/household;
- Provide temporary child custody and visitation rights to the victim; and
- Enjoin the accused from being in a specific physical proximity with the victim.
A domestic violence restraining order is only valid for one year. If the accused is a present and immediate physical danger to the victim, additional relief can be provided. This includes an ex parte order, which will allow the court to issue the relief that it deems appropriate and necessary, given the context of the domestic violence. Ex parte orders allow prohibitions to be placed on the accused, regardless of whether the accused has received notice about the hearing, and/or is present at the hearing.
Do you need professional legal assistance with your family law-related issue? Contact the experienced Fairfield County family law attorneys at our law firm. We are dedicated to helping you achieve the outcome that you desire.