Domestic Violence Prevention

BayLegal's family law attorneys help people who are trying to get out of dangerous or abusive home situations. We assist domestic violence survivors in stopping the violence and creating safe and stable home environments. We provide legal help in the following areas:

  • Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs)
  • Divorce, legal separation or annulments
  • Child or spousal support
  • Custody and visitation orders
  • Battered spouse waivers
  • Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) enforcement
  • Immigration issues faced by domestic violence survivors
  • Training and community education

Please call our Legal Advice Line if you are trying to escape domestic violence and need legal help. Please call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing an emergency.

For more resources for domestic violence or family law issues, please click here.

Information about Domestic Violence

Are You In An Abusive Relationship?

Domestic violence occurs when a person attempts to maintain power and control over a current or former intimate partner. Abusers commonly use physical, sexual and emotional abuse. They may limit access to money or use verbal insults, isolation, or threats to gain power over their partners. Domestic violence occurs in straight relationships, as well as in gay and lesbian relationships. It affects teenagers as well as adults and spans the economic spectrum.

You Are Not Alone.

  • Unfortunately, domestic violence is very common.
  • Domestic violence does not go away on its own.
  • The violence tends to get worse over time.
  • It's not your fault, don't blame yourself.
  • There are individuals and organizations that can help you.

You Can Call the Police....Domestic Violence is a Crime.

  • If it's an emergency, call the police (9-1-1) for help. If it's not an emergency, call your local police department (look their telephone number up in the phone book). When the police arrive, tell them what the abuser did. Ask the police to file a report and ask for a report number.
  • You may ask the police to arrest the abuser. If they refuse, you may ask to make a citizen's arrest.
  • You may ask the police to give you an Emergency Protective Order, requiring the abuser to stay away from you. These orders usually expire within five to seven days, however, so you should apply for a civil restraining order for extended protection.

Are you Being Abused? Think about a Safety Plan.

  • Try to find a safe place, leave home, or ask a friend to stay with you.
  • If you stay at home, tell your neighbors to call the police if they hear future disturbances from you home. Develop an exit plan or strategy.
  • If you leave home, take your children with you, if you can. Take your keys, money, passport, visas, and other important documents. If you have no place to go, call a shelter for survivors of domestic violence. Click here for shelter resources. 
  • If you are hurt, go to the hospital. Ask the doctor or nurse to document your injuries.
  • Teach your children to call the police, family, or friends if they are snatched or if the abuser becomes violent.

Consider Your Legal Options

Restraining Orders will:

  • Order the abuser to stay away from you, your home, your place of employment, and other places (usually 100 yards).
  • Order the abuser not to hit, follow, call, or have any contact with you.
  • Order the abuser to move out of your home.
  • Order child custody, visitation and support.
  • Help you get back any medical bills, lost wages or property that was destroyed as a result of the violence.

Child Custody and Visitation Orders:

Since abusers often use the children to control you, court orders with detailed custody and visitation plans can increase you and your children's safety. You may be able to get an order for supervised visitation or exchange of the children or other orders, which will help protect you and your children from violence.