STATE DV FACTS
• The latest release of crime statistics for Florida showed that while domestic violence related crimes have decreased.
• Homicides have increased 47% and domestic violence aggravated assault increased 37%.
• In 2005, there were over 120,000 domestic violence reported incidents.
• Nearly 200 of the above reports resulted in death.

Domestic Violence accounts for 20% of murders in Florida and spouses or domestic partners account for 54%. Children account for 7%.

Florida Stalking Law §784.048
When a person fears for his/her safety or that of a family member as a result of a stalker, domestic partner or harasser, whether it be in person, writing or electronic communication, Florida law provides access to relief in the form of an injunction for protection. Additionally, any law enforcement officer may arrest any person he or she believes is guilty of stalking, without a warrant.
To file a Petition for Order of Protection, go to your county courthouse. The forms are usually free and must be filled out by you in their office. One must understand that half the orders for protection are violated.
“Once an abuser, always an abuser” is a good rule to live by. Mental, monetary or physical abuse is still abuse. It is about control. There is no advantage to enduring 25 years of abuse after the first incident. Control means keeping you under their thumb with apologies, hearts and flowers, deprivation of money, isolation from friends and family, promises to attend therapy or church, the good of the children, praise or criticism or promises to quit addictions.

“Research demonstrates that exposure to violence can have serious negative effects on children’s development. Witnessing violence between one’s parents or caretakers is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.
Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.
Thirty to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children.”
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STATISTICS

Often an abuser threatens or abuses family pets. Be observant for the warning signs. These threats are often used to keep the family under the abusers control. Have a secret emergency location for your pets in case you have to flee. (Someone unknown to your abuser as a friend could be threatened and in danger) If you decide to flee at a moment’s notice, many abuse shelters have kennel facilities or volunteers who will care for your animals till you and your children can be safely relocated. Remember, if they use threats against you or your pets to control you, they will not hesitate to hurt you or your children.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE COURTS POWER POINT

Domestic Violence

SUGGESTIONS ON GOING INTO HIDING
First, get a new name. You will need to bring proof of domestic violence (Always file a police report if you can do it safely) to your county courthouse and ask for the forms to change your name with a sealed record.
Once you have a new name, get a new social security card for banking and employment. To get a new SS number, go to a local social security office. You will need to bring certain documents with you. NEW SS CARD INFO
Complete the application either in the office or online. Social Security offices are very receptive to people fleeing from violence and abuse.

The Attorney General of Florida has post office box numbers available which keep a Domestic Violence victim’s location address secret. With a name change (which can be kept secret), disposable cell phone, this postal box, a refillable credit card, new Social Security card and free money orders, a victim will be very hard to find.
For more information contact the Attorney General’s Information and Referral Line at (800) 226-6667 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (800) 226-6667      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or by contacting Debbie Smith at (850) 414-3300 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (850) 414-3300      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Florida law intervening in the workplace

FLORIDA: Governor and Cabinet Resolution on Workplace Violence (1996).
By cabinet resolution in 1996, the Governor adopted a model policy on domestic violence for state employers. Since then, state agencies have adopted similar policies. The model policy requires employees who commit violent acts to complete counseling programs and calls for firing some of those who commit the most serious type of violence, even if the violence was committed off-duty and is unrelated to the workplace.
This policy also provides leave, with or without pay, and flexible schedule or work assignment adjustments to allow employees to obtain medical treatment, counseling, legal assistance, or to make other necessary arrangements for safety.

For a simple non-contested agreeable dissolution of marriage
divorce

For more complicated divorces, go to a good law library and find forms by searching the index and tables volume for Florida Pleading and Practice Forms. Another source of information is Ask a lawyer

ASK A LAWYER