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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
General Information
Domestic violence is a confrontation between family or household members involving physical harm, harassment, sexual assault, or reasonable fear of physical harm. Family or household members include spouses/former spouses, those in (or formerly in) a dating relationship, including gay/lesbian couples; adults related by blood or marriage; and those who have a child in common or legal parent-child relationship.
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used by an individual to establish and maintain control over another individual. It can include physical abuse. Abusive behavior can involve the following:
¤ Threatening physical harm
¤ Deprivation of food, sleep, money, or medical assistance
¤ Hair pulling, biting, licking, pushing, or pinching
¤ Isolation
¤ Intimidation with a weapon
¤ Dangerous driving to intimidate
¤ Restraining someone from leaving
¤ Forced sexual contact
¤ Unwanted touching
¤ Name calling
¤ Discouraging relationships with family and friends
¤ Destruction of the victim’s possessions and/or pets
Not all of these behaviors are crimes, but they are all abusive!
Protection Order Kiosk
Bonney Lake Municipal Court now offers computer access for victims of domestic violence who need to file a temporary protection order. Councilmember Cheryle Noble and Court Administrator Katheryn Seymour have been working on this project for some time to allow domestic violence victims in Pierce County to be able to access help without having to go to the Tacoma Pierce County-City Building.
An individual will be able to file his or her request for a protection order via a Domestic Violence Kiosk system. The court clerk contacts the Domestic Violence Unit in Tacoma upon completion of data entry, and the County Clerk's office completes the filing and provides it to a commissioner or judge for signature. Once approved, the individual returns to Bonney Lake City Hall, enters the confirmation code, and prints the signed order in duplicate along with an Affidavit of Service. The local law enforcement or sheriff's office then serves the order depending on whether the respondent lives inside or outside the city limits. The victim may also choose to have a private individual serve the order.
The signed order becomes a valid temporary protection order for 14 days from the date of issuance. These orders also provide a court date and time for the victim and respondent to appear in court to determine if it will become a permanent order.
Until the order is served, there is no violation if there is contact between the parties during the 14 day temporary period. For information, contact the municipal court at 253-862-6606.
Information and Statistics on Domestic Violence
¤ National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed every October across the country.
¤ Nearly 5.3 million incidents of domestic violence occur each year among U.S. women ages 18 and older, and 3.2 million occur among men (CDC 2000).
¤ Domestic violence results in nearly 2 million injuries and 1,300 deaths nationwide every year (CDC 2003).
¤ The U.S. Department of Justice reported that 37% of all women who sought care in hospital emergency rooms for violence-related injuries were injured by a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend.
¤ Domestic violence affects everyone in the community and certain myths need to be dispelled. People often say' that they were raised in a "good" or "normal" family and believe domestic violence happens only to "bad" families.
¤ Statistics show myths such as this not to be true. Batterers and victims come from all races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, religious affiliations, occupations and educational backgrounds.
¤ Domestic violence and its victims still bear an undeserved stigma in our society and until we all understand its nature, the batterers and the victims, the cycle will continue. No one is immune but with education and awareness, people can prevent tragedy from claiming more lives.
¤ Domestic violence is a serious crime that affects children living in the home, and who may become victims themselves. Seniors too can be at risk for elder abuse, by in -home caretakers.
¤ Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used by an individual to establish and maintain control over another individual.
¤ Batterers use violence or threats to obtain and maintain control. They blame others for their violence and don't take responsibility for their actions. They blame their abusive behavior on stress, anger, jealousy and the victim. There are three phases, or cycle of violence:
¤ Phase 1: Increased tension, anger, blaming and arguing.
¤ Phase 2: Hitting, slapping, kicking, choking, and use of weapons. Sexual abuse and verbal threats.
¤ Phase 3: Calm stage when the perpetrator may deny violence, say it was because of alcohol or drug abuse, apologize and promise it will never happen again.
¤ There are five simple things you can say to someone who is living with domestic violence:
¤ You neither do nor deserve to be abused.
¤ I am afraid for your safety.
¤ I am afraid for the safety of your children.
¤ The violence will only get worse.
¤ There are people to help when you are ready.
¤ Who Batters?
¤ Batters come from all races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, religious affiliations, occupations, and educational backgrounds.
¤ Jealousy and possessiveness
¤ Violence or threats to obtain and maintain control
¤ Blaming others for their violence, not taking responsibility for their actions
¤ Controlling or monitoring who the victim sees, or where the victim goes, including work
Domestic Violence Resources
Contact
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Records Office:
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Phone (253) 863-2218
FAX (253) 863-2661
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After Hours:
For After hours Police Emergencies call 911 or
(253) 841-5538
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Location
18421 Old Buckley Hwy
Bonney Lake, WA
98391
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Mailing Address
Attn: Police Department
P.O. Box 7380
Bonney Lake, WA
98391-0944
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