Services: Domestic Violence: Resource Manual - Where Can I Go To Get Help? (Section 1)

GENERAL ADVICE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

1. During or immediately after a violent incident, call 911. If the police donât come to you, go to the station and make a voluntary statement concerning the incident.
2. Get medical treatment (Urgent Care/hospital/doctor).
3. Collect/preserve evidence of the domestic violence:
   1. Take photographs of property damage and of your physical injuries (soft tissue injuries, such as swelling and bruising, show up best 1-2 days after the incident).
   2. Get signed statements from people who saw/heard the violence happen, saw your injuries or saw the damage to your property (witnesses).
   3. Keep broken pieces of property, torn or bloody clothing and weapons used by the other party in this incident, to show the police and the prosecutor.
4. Get a Protection Order Against Domestic Violence from Family Court, located at 601 N. Pecos, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 (702) 455-3400. (See Section 3 of this manual)
5. Get a cell phone from a DV agency (free to victims); keep the cell phone and your protection order with you at all times. (See Resource List at the end of this manual)
6. Report violations of your Protection Order:
   1. If your abuser violates your TPO, call 911. Get/make a police report of the violation.
   2. Collect/preserve evidence of the violation (same as #2 above, and in addition):
   3. Make tape recordings of telephone calls or threats (first tell him/her you are recording the conversation).
   4. Copy all notes/letters and the envelopes they came in.
   5. Videotape visits/drive-bys including the date/time it occurred (you can film newspapers, television programs or telephone caller ID to verify the date/time of the video).
   6. Keep a record of all telephone calls, improper visits, missed child support payments or problems with visitation.
   7. Get medical treatment for injuries and keep a copy of the medical records.
7. Enforce your Protection Order - Once the other party knows that there is a Protection Order against him/her, he/she may not violate the terms of that Order.
   1. Criminal enforcement. Violation of a protection order is a crime. Call the police and make a report - he/she may be criminally prosecuted.
   2. Civil enforcement. File an Order to Show Cause in Family Court. You should have some evidence of the violation so that a judge can find the other party in contempt - just saying it happened is usually not enough.

Proceed to Section 2: How Can I Make It On My Own? >