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Protect Yourself Plan Ahead Develop a plan with your children Arrange to have a place to go Make copies of important papers and put them in a safe place Have important phone numbers available Pack and hide an overnight bag Put aside money and spare keys During an Incident Call for help (911) Get out if you can Take important items listed above If you can’t leave Avoid rooms with only one exit Avoid the kitchen, bathroom, garage Call for help (911) In your house Change locks, secure doors and windows Arrange to have someone stay with you Change your phone number and have it unlisted Change PINS and passwords, especially for voicemail and bank accounts Obtain a protection order Notify trusted family and friends At work, school, public places Inform your work, daycare and schools Change your daily routine Plan ahead for unexpected contact with the abuser Trust Yourself Are you a victim of Domestic Violence? Ask yourself the following questions. Are you currently living with or dating someone who: 1. Is jealous and possessive toward you and doesn’t want you to have other friends or interests? 2. Accuses you of flirting and checks on where you’ve been and who you’ve spoken to? 3. Tells you jealousy is a sign of love? 4. Tries to control you and makes all the decisions? 5. Insults you in public and in private? 6. Criticizes the way you dress, act, and your interests? 7. Seems to lack his/her own interests and be overly dependent on the relationship? 8. Destroys your belongings? 9. Threatens to hurt you, your family members or pets? 10. Touches you in a way that is frightening or painful? 11. Makes you have sex in ways or at times that are uncomfortable for you? 12. Blames you for the abuse? 13. Threatens you or threatens suicide when you want to break up or see other people? If you answered YES to any of the above questions, you and your loved ones could be in danger… THERE’S NO EXCUSE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE "IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, you can ask the city or county prosecuting attorney to file a criminal complaint. You also have the right to file a petition in superior, district, or municipal court requesting an order for protection from domestic abuse which could include any of the following: An order restraining your abuser from further acts of abuse; an order directing your abuser to leave your household; an order preventing your abuser from entering your residence, school, business, or place of employment; an order awarding you or the other parent custody of or visitation with your minor child or children; and an order restraining your abuser from molesting or interfering with minor children in your custody. The forms you need to obtain a protection order are available in any municipal, district, or superior court. "The question is not, 'why don’t they just leave,’ the question is, 'why doesn’t their partner stop hitting them?'" Case ---PAGE BREAK--- What is Domestic Violence? It’s a cycle of abusive behaviors used to control victims and establish power in the relationship by intimidating, manipulating, and physically violating their partners. As a Victim of Domestic Violence you can petition for a Protection Order at Superior Court in the County-City Building. These orders are available free of charge in room 108 at 930 Tacoma Ave in Tacoma at the Protection Order Clerk’s Office. Their phone number is (253) 798- 7455 (ext. 5 then ext. Puyallup Municipal Court Arraignments If the suspect is taken into custody their court hearing will be at 1:00 PM on the next available court day. They will be held on a No Bail hold in jail. If the defendant is not at the scene at the time of police response, they will be summoned to court once probable cause is established. If you want to confirm the court date you can call (253) 435-3654. AS A VICTIM OF A CRIME, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM INTIMIDATION TO BE TOLD ABOUT AVAILABLE COMPENSATION FOR COURT APPEARANCES TO BE TOLD ABOUT SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES WHICH CAN HELP YOU, AND TO BE ASSISTED BY YOUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES. WASHINGTON STATE CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION ACT: WASHINGTON STATE LAW ALLOWS FOR THE AID OF AN INNOCENT CRIME VICTIM SUFFERING BODILY INJURY TO OBTAIN MEDICAL AND WORK LOSS BENEFITS. THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES WILL DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY BASED ON ESTABLISHED CRITERIA. YOU MAY CALL VICTIM/WITNESS FOR INFORMATION AT (253) 591-7448. Domestic Violence Resources (253) 798-4166 1-[PHONE REDACTED] VINELINK (Inmate Custody Status Updates) [PHONE REDACTED] www.vinelink.com YWCA of Pierce County (253) 272-4181 (253) 383-2593 (24 HOUR) United Way of Pierce County (253) 572-HELP Ft Lewis Family Advocacy Program (253) 966-SAFE (7233) Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County (253) 474-7273 Good Samaritan Domestic Violence Counseling (253) 445-8120 ext. 405 Puyallup City Attorney’s Office Nancy Shattuck, Victim Advocate (253) 435-3654 [EMAIL REDACTED] City of Puyallup Police Department (253) 841-5415 Police, Sheriff, or Medical Emergency 911 WA State DV Helpline 1-[PHONE REDACTED] Pierce County DV Helpline