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The quarantine that forces the inhabitants of the North American country to remain in their homes seeks to mitigate the spread of coronavirus in its covid-19 species that has claimed to date more than 82 thousand lives in the United States alone and although according to the WHO this is the most effective measure to mitigate the disease, inside homes situations are being experienced as reprehensible and dangerous as the virus, domestic violence.
This scourge can present itself physically, verbally, or psychologically and although sometimes it is confused with gender-based violence, which affects only women, domestic violence affects men, women, and children equally.
If during this crisis you are being affected by domestic violence, here we share the steps that according to an attorney who defends victims, you should follow to seek protection.
Steps recommended by an attorney in case of domestic violence:
1. Request telephone assistance
You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 365 days a year 24 hours a day, where a person will provide you with immediate support and will indicate the resources or options available to act in your specific case.
In case of immediate danger, contact 911 or your local police number who will provide urgent assistance at your home.
2. Request medical evaluation
If your aggressor has caused you physical harm, go immediately to a hospital or health center so that the medical team can assess the damage suffered; it is important that in this case you inform the doctors of the assaults you were a victim of, even if it was a rape.
Keep the medical report, as this will serve to support building a case against your aggressor.
3. File a report
It is possible that you can file this step directly from the medical center, in case you do not go to one, you can go to a police agency to report your case. Keep in mind that the report is the main element when contacting an attorney who defends victims for your abuse situation.
Although the process may seem to revictimize the victim, it is important that at each step you detail the situation being experienced inside the home, you can also report if there are children involved in the relationship with your aggressor and if they are being threatened by the situation. In any case if you consider it necessary, contact an attorney who defends victims.
Steps to follow in case of domestic violenceAt Conexión Legal we offer free consultation withimmigration attorneys for domestic violence cases; contact us through this channel via the WhatsApp icon or by Scheduling your Consultation and explore solutions to your case.
4. Request a protective order
While you file a report at a police agency, you will also be able to request a protective order be issued against your aggressor according to the situation; in this step it is possible that the police will go to the home where the abuse occurred and ask your aggressor to leave the location.
5. Abandon the home
In relation to the previous step, there is a possibility that your aggressor refuses to leave your home or does so but disregards the protective order and returns after a few days.
In this case it is advisable that you leave your place of residence since the priority is to preserve your health and contact an attorney who defends victims; if you are forced to leave your residence you can consult the available shelters where you will receive care, support, and a temporary place to stay.
Each case of abuse and mistreatment is unique so although this is a step-by-step that should be followed, your specific case may not allow you to do it in this order, which does not mean it will be less valid than others; analyze your situation and if necessary, do not miss the opportunity to distance yourself from your aggressor, you can start your process by locating a nearby shelter where you will be guided through the step-by-step to follow.
Do not be afraid to seek protection if your immigration status is irregular, in fact being a victim of a crime like this makes you eligible for permanent residence and a work permit in accordance with the U Visa, as long as the crime has been reported.
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