What can I do about annoying or threatening phone calls?
If you become a victim of annoying phone calls, you should report them to the law enforcement.
If you become a victim of threatening phone calls, report them to your local police department immediately Threatening calls are taken seriously, especially if you are in a battering relationship or have been a victim of domestic violence.
My partner was arrested for domestic violence and told me to bail him out or else I would "get it." What should I do?
This is a threat. Report this to the Law Enforcement, City Attorney's or District Attorney's Office as soon as possible. A protective order for you can be requested in court and bail can be raised because of the threat. Depending on the specific nature of the threat, additional charges may be filed against the defendant.
My partner told me to call the prosecutor and drop the case. What should I do?
You cannot drop the charges in a criminal case. Unlike a civil case, you are not the party to the lawsuit, but you are an important witness to a crime. If he tells you to drop charges, he must understand that you do not have that authority.
If I go to court and testify, can he find out where I’m staying?
No. Specific state laws let the prosecutor conceal your location from the defendant.
He tries to be a good father to the children. Should I put up with domestic abuse to maintain our home for the children’s sake?
No. Children growing up in a home with violence are at risk to repeat the cycle of violence or becoming future victims of domestic violence. The violence to you directly affects and harms your children.
Am I safe now that he’s attending a batterer’s counseling program?
Possibly not. Even though he’s attending a counseling program, even one ordered by the court, you may not be safe. Even if they attend the program regularly, you may not be safe. No program can guarantee that you will be safe.
