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Domestic Violence Information & Resources Warning Signs of Abuse | Obtaining a Restraining Order | Resources for Victims | Resources for Abusers Domestic crimes include all offenses committed against family members, spouses and ex-spouses, roommates, and romantic partners and ex-romantic partners. Though "domestic violence" is generally thought to be synonymous with dating violence (50% of cases) and spousal abuse (20% of cases), it can also encompass violence between siblings, parents and children, step-parents and step-children, foster-parents and foster-children, and other family members. The Cambridge Police Department takes reports for about 1,000 domestic crimes per year. Domestic crimes account for just over 10% of all crimes reported to the police, including 16% of all serious violent crime, 25% of all aggravated assaults, and 40% of all simple assaults. The Cambridge Police Department's "Zero-Tolerance" policy towards domestic violence means that we will vigorously investigate and prosecute cases of family violence and other crimes. Patrol officers have a mandatory arrest policy towards domestic violence which requires them to make on-scene arrests for all domestic crimes in which the offender can be located. If a victim of a domestic assault summons police assistance, and the offender can be located when the police arrive, he or she will be arrested. Warning Signs of an Abusive Relationship English | Spanish | Portuguese Abuse is about power and control. Abuse is a range of behavior that may take many forms such as physical abuse, emotional or mental abuse, verbal, and sexual abuse. Abusers often control finances, isolate you over time from your family/friends, strictly monitor your whereabouts, display extreme jealousy and use intimidation, threats and/or violence. If you are abused: - protect yourself, (and your children);
- seek assistance: please call
- make the changes necessary for you to live abuse free.
What is the abuse law in Massachusetts?
M.G.L. Chapter 209A defines criminal abuse as: - actual physical abuse or an attempt to harm another;
- placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm;
- or causing another to engage in sexual relations by force, threat of force or duress.
The law protects abused persons who: - are married to one another;
- are residing in the same household;
- are related by blood or marriage;
- have a child in common;
- are or have been in a substantive dating relationship, which shall be adjudged by the court.
The courts can issue an Abuse Prevention Order: - The court may order that an abuser refrain from abusing, hurting or harassing the victim in any way.
- The court may order temporary support.
- The court may order the abuser to stay away from the victim at home, school or any other place the victim may be.
- The court may order that the victim have temporary custody of any minor children and/or abuser to stay away from them.
- The court may order the abuser to vacate the household.
Domestic Violence Abuse as defined in M.G.L. 209A is a crime punishable by law. When a Cambridge Police Officer comes to your home you may expect he or she will; - Use all reasonable means to prevent further abuse, including arresting the abuser;
- Remain on the scene as long as you are in physical danger and/or take you to a place where you feel safe;
- Assist you in obtaining medical treatment;
- Explain your rights under M.G.L. Chapter 209A;
- Will conduct an exhaustive investigation; this includes witness statements, photographing of injuries and property.
You are not alone. Many families are affected by abuse. We can help. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed to ask.
Aviso de Señales de una Relación Abusiva El abuso es el poder y control sobre alguien. El abuso es una variedad de comportamientos que pueden tomar muchas formas tales como físico, emocional, verbal y sexual. Los abusadores, frecuentemente controlan tu dinero, te aislan de tus parientes/amigos, fiscalizan tu paradero, son excesivamente celosos, usan intimidación y amenazas y/o violencia. Si Ud. Está Siéndo Abusada - protéjase y proteja a sus hijos;
- busque ayuda;
- hága los arreglos necesarios para vivir una vida libre de abusos.
¿Cuál es la Ley de Abuso en Massachusetts?
La M.G.L. Capítulo 209A define el abuso criminal como: - abuso físico o intento de dañar a alguien;
- hacer que alguien tenga miedo de daño físico inminente;
- obligar a alguien a tener relación sexual a la fuerza, con amenazas y bajo coacción.
La ley protege a personas abusadas que: - están casadas con la otra persona;
- viven en la misma casa
- tienen parentezco de sangre o matrimonio
- tienen hijos en común;
- están o estuvieron en una relación seria, lo cual será determinado por la corte.
La corte puede ordenar una Orden para Prevención de Abuso: - daño u ostigamiento contra la víctima.
- La corte puede ordenar apoyo temporero.
- La corte puede ordenar que el abusador permanezca alejado del hogar de la víctima, la escuela o cualquier otro lugar donde la víctima pueda encontrarse.
- La corte puede ordenar que la víctima tenga la tutela de los niños menores o que el abusador se mantega alejado de ellos.
- La corte puede ordenar que el abusador desaloje el hogar.
La Violencia Doméstica según la definición de M.G.L. 209A es un crimen castigable por la ley.Cuando un oficial de la Policia de Cambridge llega a su casa para intervenir, él/ella puede tomar las siguientes medidas: - Uso de medios razonables para prevenir más abuso, incluyendo arresto del abusador;
- Permanecer con Ud. durante todo el tiempo que Ud. pueda estar en peligro físico y/o llevarla a un sitio donde se pueda sentir segura.
- Ayuda para obtener asistencia médica;
- Orientación sobre sus derechos bajo la ley M.G.L. Capítulo 209A; Conducir una investigación minuciosa; esto incluye declaración de testigos; tomar fotografías de daños físico y a la propiedad.
Usted no está sola. Muchas familias son afectadas por el abuso. Podemos ayudarle. No tenga miedo de pedir ayuda.
Principais Sinais de um Relacionamento Abusivo ou Violento O abuso é ligado a poder e controle. O abuso é um grupo de comportamentos que toma muitas formas tais como fisica, emocional, verbal e sexual. Os abusadores frequentemente controlam as financas, isolam voce progressivamente de seus familiares e amigos, controlam suas saidas, e é extremamente ciumento e usa intimidacao e ameacas e/ou violencia. Se voce está sofrendo abuso ou violencia doméstica: - proteja a voce e a seus filhos;
- busque ajuda;
- Tome as medidas necesarias para que voce viva uma vida livre de abusos
Qual é a Lei do Abuso em Massachusetts?
M.G.L. Capítulo 209A define abuso como crime: - abuso ou violcencia física de fato; ou tentativa de inflingir danos físicos a terceiros;
- causar medo a terceiros de um iminente ou possível dano físico;
- ou forcar a terceiros a ter relacionamento sexual, através de forca, ameacas de forca, ou coersao.
A Lei protege pessoas abusadas que: - sao casadas uma com as outras;
- sao residentes na mesma casa:
- sao parentes por sangue ou por casamento;
- tem filhos em comum;
- sao ou tem um relacionamento substantivo, relacionamento o qual será definido pela corte.
A Corte pode emitir uma Ordem de Prevencao Contra Abuso: - A Corte pode emitir uma ordem judicial contra o abusador, para que o mesmo pare de abusar, machucar ou ameacar sua vítima em qualquer forma de abuso;
- A Corte pode emitir uma ordem judicial de sustento temporário;
- A Corte pode emitir uma ordem judicial contra o abusador para que este se mantenha distante da vítima em casa, na escola, ou em qualquer outro local que a vítima possa estar presente;
- A Corte pode emitir uma ordem judicial em favor da vítima para que esta tenha a guarda temporária das criancas menores de idade e/ou para que ela se mantenha distante das mesmas.
A Corte pode emitir uma ordem judicial para que o abusador saia da casa imediatamente. Abuso ou Violencia Doméstica como definido na M.G.L. 209A é um crime puível pela lei. Quando um policial da Delegancia de Cambridge vem até a sua casa, voce pode esperal que ele ou ela: - usará de todas as formas razoáveis para previnir a vítima contra futuros abusos, incluindo a prisao do abusador;
- permanecerá no local enquanto voce correr perigo de danos físicos e/ou lhe transportará para um local no qual voce se sinta segura;
- Lhe ajudará a obter tratamento médico;
- Explicará os seus direitos sob a lei M.G.L. Capítulo 209A;
- Conduzirá uma exaustiva investigacao; que inclui depoimentos de testemunhas, fotografar as lesoes causadas bem como o local ou propriedade.
Voce nao está sozinha. Muitas famílias sao afetadas pelo abuso. Nós podemos ajudar. Nao se sinta envergonhadao ou acanhado em perguntar. How to Obtain aRestraining Order - First, you must go to the Victim Witness Advocate's Office at the District Court or Probate Court in the jurisdiction or county in which you live or have fled to escape abuse. You should tell the clerk that you want to file a petition for an Abuse Prevention Order or a 209A Petition. You may be asked to complete a form or to write a statement describing why you are requesting an Abuse Prevention Order.
- In an emergency, when the courts are closed or you are unable to get to a court, contact the Cambridge Police Department at 9-1-1 (emergencies) or 617-349-3300 (non-emergency).
- After you have completed the application forms, the Victim Witness Advocate will accompany you before a judge and you will explain why you need the order. At this time, the judge can only issue a Temporary Restraining Order, valid for up to 10 days. On the tenth day, at a scheduled hearing, the judge will decide whether or not to extend the order. Both you and the defendant have the right to be at this hearing.
- Once you receive a restraining order, make sure you keep a copy with you at all times.
- The police are responsible for serving the defendant with the order. Any information that you can provide as to the location of the defendant is of great help.
Depending on the individual situation, restraining orders can mandate that the defendant refrain from abuse, vacate a shared residence, relinquish custody of minor children to the victim, pay money to the victim for medical expenses or lost wages, stay away from the victim, surrender firearms, return property to the victim, and refrain from contacting the victim--whether in person, by mail, by telephone, or even through a third party. There is no cost to obtain a restraining order. Resources for Domestic ViolenceVictims Domestic abuse generally gets worse and occurs more frequently when victims do not seek help. There is help available, either through the Cambridge Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit at 617-349-3371 or through one of the following local battered women's shelters: You may also wish to seek legal advice at one of the following offices: More extensive resources are listed at the following sites: Jane Doe, Inc. Elder Abuse Center Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women National Domestic Violence Resources Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project. The Network / La Red. The Elizabeth Stone House Casa Myrna Vasquez Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence Children with Voices: A Child Witness to Violence Program Resources forAbusers Learn to recognize your behavior for what it is. If you assault your spouse, romantic partner, children, or other family members, you need to seek help. Likewise, if you insult, threaten, blame, feel you need to control your spouse or romantic partner, or destroy things during arguments, you need to seek assistance. Your behavior may escalate into violence. The following organizations counsel, assist, and treat abusers:
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