Does LAAW provide services to male victims of intimate partner violence?
LAAW does assist male victims of intimate partner violence. LAAW’s program statistics show that services are provided to approximately 90% of female intimate partner violence victims are female, with approximately 10% of services are provided to male intimate partner violence victims. The statistics also show that a percentage of the male intimate partner violence victims are in same gender relationships.
What is the difference between domestic violence and intimate partner violence?
Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 565, defines domestic violence victims as Family” or “household member”, spouses, former spouses, adults related by blood or marriage, adults who are presently residing together or have resided together in the past and adults who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have resided together at any time. The law has since been updated and also includes individuals who are or have been in a continuing romantic relationship. To view the Missouri Revised Statutes click on the following link: http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C500-599/5650000063.HTM
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the term intimate partner violence describes physical, sexual or psychological harm by a spouse, former spouse, partner, or former partner, which includes those that have a child in common. Intimate partner violence can occur in both heterosexual and same gender relationships and does not require sexual intimacy. To read more on intimate partner violence click on the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/definitions.html
Intimate partner violence does not include those related by blood and marriage as stated in the Missouri Revised Statutes definition of domestic violence. LAAW provides services for intimate partners of domestic violence.
What allows LAAW to provide their services for free?
LAAW is a 501 © 3 organization and is able to provide free services to intimate partner violence victims thanks to the community through individual donations, foundation support, fundraising events, company sponsorships and state and federal grants. As a 501 © 3 organization all donations are tax-deductible.
Does LAAW charge a fee for any of their services?
All LAAW advocacy and legal services are provided at no cost for victims of intimate partner violence.
Where is LAAW located?
LAAW utilizes a post office box as the mailing address in order to keep the office location confidential.
How do I file a police report?
In cases of an emergency or at the time of an incident contact 911 immediately and the police will be dispatched to your location to take a police report. This is the best way to contact the police regarding an incident of domestic violence as 911 tracks the incoming calls.
A police report can also be made by going to the police station in the area where the incident occurred or by contacting the non-emergency police line. There is no formal tracking system if a report is made through these means.
After filing a police report, who can I contact to discuss the criminal justice system process?
The advocate that a victim can speak with about the criminal justice system is determined by jurisdiction (where the police report was filed).
The Domestic Violence Intervention Partnership (DVIP) is a collaborative program with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the St. Louis County Police Department. LAAW advocates are on-site at each police department to speak with victims of intimate partner violence after they make a police report in these jurisdictions.
In the City of St. Louis, a LAAW advocate can be contacted by calling (314) 444-5833.
In St. Louis County, a LAAW advocate can be contacted by calling (314) 615-8665.
LAAW advocates within the city and county police departments can be contacted to provide information about a contact person in another local jurisdiction.
What are LAAW’s hours of operation?
The LAAW Administrative Office Staff are available Monday-Friday 8am-4pm.
The Legal Information Line can be contacted Monday-Friday 9am-4pm.
Off-site LAAW Advocates at the courthouse and police departments have varying schedules, but are typically available Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm.
Can I speak with a LAAW advocate via email?
LAAW advocates will not contact victims via email as it is not a safe form of communication as information on your computer can be tracked. It is impossible to fully erase the websites you have visited. If you think someone is tracking your computer use, please use a safer computer. You may be able to use a friend’s computer or a computer at your local library.
What is LAAW’s discrimination policy?
It is the policy of Legal Advocates for Abused Women to provide services to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. No person shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, any service; or be subjected to discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
Can an Order of Protection keep you safe?
An Order of Protection is one tool that can be part of your safety plan. An Order of Protection by itself is not a guarantee that you will be safe. What an OP does for you is to set the boundaries clearly for your abuser and require that if you call the police for help, they must respond immediately; it also provides additional criminal penalities against the abuser if s/he chooses to violate it. It can be a very important part of your safety plan, but it is usually not the entire safety plan
Where can a person file for an Order of Protection in Missouri?
Missouri law provides three choices for someone who wishes to file for an OP: 1) the County where the person filing lives; 2) the county where the person the OP is filed against can be served; 3) the county where the abuse occurred. If you have more than once choice, you may wish to talk to an advocate before filing to determine which choice will be best for you.
Who can file for an Order of Protection in Missouri?
Any person can file a petition for an Order of Protection against a Respondent that meets one of the following criteria: spouses, former spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, individuals residing together or who have resided together in the past, persons who have a child in common, dating relationships, or stalking.
If the Respondent is under the age of 17, service must be made to their parent, guardian, or guardian ad litem (unless they are emancipated).
How much does it cost to file for an Order of Protection?
There are no filing fees or court costs assessed against those who file for an OP in Missouri.
Do I have to physically go to a courthouse to file for an Order of Protection?
99% of the time, yes. There must be extreme circumstances, such as prolonged hospitalization, for one to get a Petition filed without going to the courthouse. If an emergency arises while the courthouse is closed and you cannot wait until it opens to file your Petition, you can go to your local police or sheriff’s department and they can assist you. Know that doing this process through the police will take much longer than it would at the courthouse, and should only be done in a true emergency.
What do I need to bring with me when I go to file for an Order of Protection?
You should bring information on where the abuser can be served with the paperwork, as well as a picture of him/her if you have one (you won’t get it back). If you have pictures of your injuries bring those as well.
Is my Order of Protection valid in any city, county and State?
An OP is valid everywhere in the United States regardless of where it was issued.
Are children protected by an Order of Protection?
In an Adult OP, the judge can make orders about custody and visitation, but they do not have to do so; any provisions about custody and visitation are made to protect the adult victim, not the children. If a child has been directly threatened or is in danger, you should consider filing a Child OP to protect them directly.
Can a petitioner violate their own Order of Protection?
No. The Order is against the person it was filed against. It does not work both ways. The only way a Petitioner can get in trouble over the OP is if s/he does not follow the custody and visitation arrangements.
How do I enforce an Order of Protection?
If the abuser violates the OP by contacting, harassing, stalking, or hurting you, or by taking your children when the order gives you custody, you should call the police immediately to make a report of the violation.
Based on where the police report was made, you can contact the City or County DVIP Advocate for information on the criminal justice system and crisis support.
Does LAAW provide legal representation for custody and divorce hearings?
No. LAAW can provide information and answer questions about these proceedings through the HelpLine, but does not have lawyers available for those types of cases.
If you call LAAW’s legal information line, can you speak with an attorney immediately?
No. You will speak to an advocate who is specially trained to work with the LAAW attorney and who has knowledge of the OP and legal system. In order to work with an attorney you must first do an intake that will determine if you are eligible for LAAW’s services and will check to see if LAAW has any conflict with representing you. If you are accepted as a client, you will be assigned to an attorney who will contact you.
If you call the HelpLine with basic questions for an attorney, the advocate who answers may be able to talk to the attorney to get an answer for you.
Can you call LAAW’s legal information line and receive assistance for other legal matters other than an Order of Protection?
LAAW can offer information on other issues that often come up for those who are in abusive situations, such as problems with a landlord, questions about police response, or other related issues. LAAW does not provide attorneys for those matters, but may be able to refer you to other services that do.
