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Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Brochure (PDF format)
La Violencia Doméstica (PDF format)

Characteristics of an Abusive Relationship:

  • Physical Abuse- pushing, shoving, slapping, hitting, strangulation, biting, using a weapon, throwing you down
  • Threats- making threats to hurt you, threats to take the children, to report you to authorities, or commit suicide or kill you if you leave
  • Intimidation- putting you in fear by using looks, gestures, actions, yelling or destroying property
  • Blaming/Denying- saying that you caused the abuse, saying that it didn’t happen, or making light of the abuse
  • Stalking- repeatedly calling or texting you, following you, showing up wherever you are, damaging your home or car, monitoring phone calls/computer use, using GPS or hidden cameras to track you, other actions that control, track, or frighten you.
  • Emotional Abuse- putting you down, calling you names, playing mind games.
  • Isolation - limiting or controlling where you go, who you see and talk to.
  • Economic Abuse- trying to keep you from getting a job, making you ask for money, taking your money or not giving you money for yourself or the children.
  • Sexual Abuse — making you do sexual acts against your will

What You Can Do:

Obtain an Injunction for Protection: order from the court that makes it illegal for the abuser to contact you. You can request by filing paperwork about the violence. Injunctions are free.

Weekdays 8a.m. - 4p.m.
545 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg
727-464-7000

Bring: ID, dates of abuse, evidence of abuse (photos, texts, e-mails, etc.), contact information and location for the abuser. (There is a form to complete to keep your address confidential.)

Violation of injunction is a crime.If the abuser violates, call the police.
CALL THE POLICE if the abuser calls you after the arrest, even if you do not have an injunction.

Contact: CASA

1011 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg
727-895-4912

  • Relocation - You can apply for relocation. If you qualify you may receive financial assistance
  • Shelter - CASA has a large shelter, and it also has a pet kennel
  • Counseling and support groups
  • Safety planning
  • Victim advocacy
  • Address Confidentiality Program

  • Victim Compensation is a program through the Attorney General’s Office to help you financially with:
  • Relocation - Must apply at CASA within 30 days from the date of the crime
  • Medical / Dental Bills
  • Wage Loss
  • Counseling

To apply, contact victim assistance at SPPD or CASA.

A safety plan can be life saving:

  • Put aside money, clothes, and important documents in a secret location for when you are ready to leave.
  • Tell a neighbor if they hear a disturbance at your home, to call police.
  • Make a code word to use with your children, family, friends, when you need the police.
  • All cell phones have the capability of calling 911 even if they do not have a service provider. Keep an old cell phone charged in case of an emergency to call 911.

Attend the Investigation:

On felony cases, you must attend the investigation. This is a meeting at SPPD with the Assistant State Attorney to discuss the case. The abuser will not be present. This is the time to let the attorney know if the abuser needs counseling, substance abuse treatment, etc. It is important that you attend, even if you do not want to press charges.

Referral Numbers

211
Information and Referrals
2-1-1

Counseling

Domestic Violence Center

Injunction for Protection
Clerk of the Court
727-464-7000

Legal Aid

State Attorney Office

Victim Assistance (SPPD)

Victim Compensation
800-226-6667

Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE)
877-846-3435
(Your pin number is the last 4 digits of your contact number)

Children in Violent Homes

Children who hear or see the abuse often display the following behaviors:

  • Exhibit emotional problems, excessive crying, withdrawal, acting out, or shyness
  • Suffer from depression
  • Excessive absences from school
  • Use violence for solving problems
  • At greater risk of being a runaway, suicidal, or committing criminal acts as juveniles and adults

Children do not have to be abused themselves in order to be impacted by violence in the home.

Counseling is available for children

Help for the Abuser

Once the violence occurs, it’s likely that it will occur again unless there is intervention. Abusers must learn to accept responsibility for their behavior. There are local Batterer Intervention Programs (BIP) to help. BIP is free in the Jail.

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