Spartanburg, South Carolina Domestic Violence Lawyers
Domestic violence is a problem that affects many Americans every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men have experienced sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking. The United States Department of Justice defines domestic violence as crimes committed by a former or current spouse or intimate partner, or violence committed by a person with whom you share a child in common, or a person who is cohabitating with you. There are many different types of abuse. Abuse can include physical abuse, including sexual abuse, emotional abuse, economic abuse, psychological abuse, threats, and stalking. Emotional abuse can include constant criticism or name-calling. Psychological abuse can include threats of self-harm, injuring animals, or destroying property. Stalking can occur when a person shows up at your home uninvited, shows up at your place of work, makes phone calls to your place of work or home or school, or leaves unwanted messages.
Domestic violence can take an immense toll on your physical and mental wellbeing, and it can impact you long into the future, even after you have left an abusive partner. Domestic violence can also have a major impact on your children. If you believe you have been or are a victim of domestic violence, it is important to have a safety plan in place if you plan to leave and to be aware that your partner may be spying on your internet usage (including spying on your choice to read this website). The most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence is when the victim chooses to leave the relationship. This is often when psychologically or emotionally abusive relationships can escalate into physical abuse, and where physically abusive relationships can become even more violent. The domestic violence lawyers in Spartanburg SC at the Barbare Law Firm may be able to help you seek a restraining order, help you understand your legal rights if you have been a victim of domestic violence, and assist you with a divorce involving issues of domestic violence.
Getting a Restraining Order in Spartanburg, South Carolina
How can you get a restraining order or “order of protection” in South Carolina? If a family member, partner, or person who lives with you physically harms you, or threatens to harm you, physically injures you, assaults you, rapes you or commits an act of sexual violence against you, you may be eligible to seek a restraining order, or order of protection in South Carolina. Family or household members are typically defined as spouses or ex-spouses, someone with whom you share a child, and person of the opposite sex with whom you have lived. In some cases, individuals may still be able to seek a restraining order or order of protection if they are being stalked or harassed.
A restraining order can require that an abuser stop abusing you or threatening to abuse you, stop communicating with you, and require an abuser to stay away from your home, school, place of work, or other place you frequent. A final order of protection may also grant you child support, financial support, and allow you to take possession of a shared home. A restraining order may also order the abuser to pay your court fees, and can also protect your pets and other property.
In order to seek a restraining order you’ll need to file necessary paperwork and attend a court hearing. A restraining order can legally order a person to stay away from you, but it is just a document. It cannot stop someone who is determined to harm you or your family from taking these actions. For this reason, it is important to have a safety plan in place if you plan to file for a restraining order. Some people feel safer moving to a location where the abuser doesn’t know their location, and others seek help from friends and family. The Barbare Law Firm is a domestic violence law firm in Spartanburg, South Carolina that can assist you with seeking a restraining order. We can help you with the various steps involved, help you gather evidence to support your case, and assist you every step of the way.
You don’t have to do this alone. Seek help. Consider adding the domestic violence lawyers at the Barbare Law Firm to your team.
Domestic Violence Attorneys Here for You
When leaving an abuser, the most important thing should be your safety, your children’s safety, and the safety of your pets. Having a safety plan in place is important. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers tips to help you plan. One of the ways you can increase legal protections for yourself and your children is to get a restraining order, or an order of protection. The Spartanburg SC domestic violence attorneys at Barbare Law Firm can assist you with getting a restraining order. We can also assist you if you are domestic violence victim leaving an abusive relationship or looking to file for divorce. You are not alone. We can help.