CLALLAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Domestic Violence Information
                              

"IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, you can ask the city or county prosecuting attorney to file a criminal complaint. You also have the right to file a petition in superior, district, or municipal court requesting an order for protection from domestic abuse which could include any of the following: (a) An order restraining your abuser from further acts of abuse; (b) an order directing your abuser to leave your household; (c) an order preventing your abuser from entering your residence, school, business, or place of employment; (d) an order awarding you or the other parent custody of or visitation with your minor child or children; and (e) an order restraining your abuser from molesting or interfering with minor children in your custody. The forms you need to obtain a protection order are available in any municipal, district, or superior court.

Information about shelters and alternatives to domestic violence is available from a statewide twenty-four-hour toll-free hot line at 1-800-562-6025.  The battered women’s shelter and other resources in your area are seen on the last page of this flyer”  RCW  10.99.030 (7)

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is committed to your safety and the safety of your family.  IF YOU FEEL YOUR LIFE OR SAFETY IS IN JEOPARDY, DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY!  If not an emergency, call our 24-hour a day dispatch at 417-2459 to report the violation and speak to any one of our deputies who are trained to handle domestic violence issues.

 The Sheriff’s Office firmly believes that a community that educates itself is a safer and healthier community.  Therefore, we are providing the following information and resources in order to help you understand domestic violence and avoid the fear and danger associated with it.

 1.  WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

• A pattern of violent and coercive tactics
• One person seeks to control the thoughts, beliefs or conduct of another
• Non-violent tactics of control are often coupled with violence or the threat of violent acts
• Violence, the threat of violence, or the fear of retaliation give the batterer the power to enforce the victim’s compliance while reminding him/her of the consequences if challenged or resisted.
• Physical violence may happen infrequently, but abusers use coercive behaviors every day which allow them to maintain control of the relationship.
• Physical violence only has to occur once to create a climate of fear and shape future actions for the victim of domestic violence. 

 2.  WHY DOES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAPPEN?

• Abusive behavior is learned
• Ending violence is NOT an act of will power or self-control
• Violence will not end without intervention and a coordinated community response that hold the abuser accountable for every act of violence.
• Without intervention, abusive behavior will not get better
• Most abusers become more violent with time.
• With time, the extent of injuries, both emotional and physical, will become more severe and frequent

3.  WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN? 

• Even if children are not physically abused themselves, family violence teaches children that violence is an acceptable way to solve their problems
• Children who witness the violence can be emotionally bruised and more likely to repeat the cycle of violence in their adulthood
• Children can often be injured in the course of witnessing family violence and are more likely to be abused than those not in homes with domestic violence

4.  WHAT ARE THE SIGNS? 

The following list indicates behaviors that may lead to physical abuse/domestic violence in a relationship:

• History of family violence
• Use of violence to resolve problems, quick temper
• Alcohol/Drug abuse
• Jealousy with other relationships/friendships
• Expectation that you should follow orders/advice
• Mood swings

The following list contains signs of domestic violence:

• Name calling/put downs
• Isolation from family and friends
• Withholding money
• Actual or threatened physical harm
• Sexual assault

5.  WHAT CAN I DO?

• Learn all you can about domestic violence  
• Seek support from caring people
• Develop a plan to protect yourself and your children
• Ask for information about your rights
• Get legal protection
• Ask for prosecuting attorney’s office to file a criminal complaint
• File a petition in Superior, District or Municipal Court requesting an order of protection from domestic violence
• Seek help from your local domestic violence agency

 6.  WHAT CAN AN ORDER DO FOR YOU? 

      There are four different types of orders issued by the court system.  These orders can assist with any of the following: 

• Restraining your abuser from further acts of abuse
• Directing your abuser to leave the household
• Preventing your abuser from entering your residence, school, business, or place of employment
• Awarding you, or the other parent, custody of or visitation with your minor children
• Restraining your abuser from molesting or interfering with minor children in your custody
• A court order is strongly recommended to provide you greater protection, however police will arrest your abuser without a court order
• Call 9-1-1 immediately if you are being attacked

 7.  WHAT ARE THE FOUR TYPES OF ORDERS?

       PROTECTION ORDER

• Civil order available to anyone over the age of 16
• Must be a victim of physical harm OR be in fear of being physically harmed
• Victim must have a current or former relationship with the abuser such as a family or household member, dating or having a child in common
• Orders are available through District or Superior Court
• There is NO CHARGE for Domestic Violence Protection Orders. Other Protection Orders can be available through District or Superior Court at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. 4^th Street, Port Angeles.
• Your abuser will be notified of the order and will be subject to mandatory arrest for violating the order
• The order can be a “stand alone” order OR  coupled with a No-Contact or Restraining Order
• The order will remain in effect until expiration (usually 1 year)
• YOU can choose to modify or drop the order by requesting changes in writing and appearing before the court
• YOU have choices about your level of protection in a Protection Order

NO-CONTACT ORDER

• Criminal order pending a criminal action
• You can NOT obtain a No-Contact Order on you own.  An incident must be reported to the police with criminal charges pending
• The Judge must issue this order pending the release of a defendant from the jail, at the time of arraignment and at sentencing
• Can be obtained through District or Superior Court for NO CHARGE
• Abuser is provided with a verbal and written notice at arraignment and sentencing
• A violation of the conditions subjects the abuser to mandatory arrest and additional criminal or contempt charges may also be filed
• Will be dropped if pending criminal charges are dismissed and the victim may not be notified
• Your petition may be denied to drop/modify the order
• You may NOT have a choice on the level of protection you are issued in a No-Contact Order

RESTRAINING ORDER

• Civil order that must be filed with another family law action (such as a dissolution or parenting plan)
• Can only be filed when the victim and abuser are married or have a child in common
• Can only be obtained in Superior Court
• Filing fees apply but can be waived if unable to pay
• Your abuser will be notified and subject to mandatory arrest or other charges if the list of criminal conditions in the order are violated
• You have minimal choices about your level of protection in a restraining order

     ANTI-HARASSMENT ORDER

• Civil order available to anyone who is seriously alarmed, annoyed or harassed by conduct which serves no legitimate purpose
• No relationships usually exist between parties
• Available through District Court with limited provisions for referring cases to Superior Court
• Filing fees apply but can be reduced or waived
• Violations can bring criminal or contempt charges                                                                            

8.  WHAT HELP AND SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?

 CRISIS HOTLINES:

Peninsula Mental Health…………………………………………...(360)452-4500

National Domestic Violence Hotline………………………………1-800-562-SAFE

EMERGENCY HOUSING & SHELTERS:

Healthy Families of Clallam County……………………………….(360)452-3811

24-hour Crisis Line……………………………………………...(360)452-HELP

        Serenity House of Clallam County………………………………….(360)452-7221

LOCAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGENCIES:

Healthy Families of Clallam County……………………………....(360)452-3811

24-hour Crisis Line……………………………………………..(360)452-HELP

Lower Elwha Klallam Domestic Violence Program………….…...(360)452-8471 Ext. 200

Jamestown S’Klallam Domestic Violence Support…….................(360)681-4628

Forks Abuse Program………………………………………………(360)374-6411

24-hour Crisis Line………………………………………...(360)374-CARE

     VICTIM SERVICES:

      Healthy Families of Clallam County……………………………….(360)452-3811

      Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Coordinator (360)417-2368

     LEGAL ASSISTANCE:

      Pro Bono Legal Services…………………………………………….(360)417-0818