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Domestic Violence
Massachusetts General Law, C.209-A(1978)
Abuse Law
| "You have the right to go to
the superior, probate and family, district or Boston municipal court if you |
| reside within the appropriate jurisdiction, and file a
complaint requesting any of the following applicable |
| orders: |
| |
| a) an order restraining your
attacker from abusing you; |
| |
| b) an order directing your
attacker to leave your household; |
| |
| c) an order awarding you
custody of a minor child; |
| |
| d) an order directing your
attacker to pay support for you or any minor child in your custody, if the |
| attacker has
legal obligation
to support them; and |
| |
| e) an order directing your
attacker to pay you for the losses suffered as a result of the abuse,
including |
| medical and moving
expenses, loss of earnings or support, attorneys fees and other
out-of-pocket |
| losses for
injuries sustained. |
| |
| For an emergency on
weekends, holidays or weeknights, you should contact the police, who will
refer |
| you to a justice of the superior, probate and family, district or Boston municipal court
departments. |
| |
| You have the right to
go to the appropriate district court or the Boston municipal court and seek
a |
| criminal complaint for threats, assault and battery,
assault with a deadly weapon, assault with intent to |
| kill or other related offenses. |
| |
| If you are in need of
medical treatment, you have the right to request that the officer present
drive you to |
| the nearest hospital or otherwise assist you in obtaining medical treatment. |
| |
| If you believe that
police protection is needed for your physical safety, you have the right to
request that |
| the officer present remain at the scene until you and your
children can leave or until your safety is otherwise |
| insured." |
| Alternatives for
Battered Women |
| Alternative House |
| Emergency Crisis
Hotline |
| Toll Free:
1-888-291-6228 |
| (978) 454-1436 |
|
Shelter |
Emergency Hotline (24
Hours) |
Community Education |
Multi-Lingual |
| Legal Advocacy |
Housing Advocacy |
Medical & Social
Service Referrals |
Symptoms of Abuse - Threats, Power Misuse, and Control
What symptoms below fit your life?
Using Emotional Abuse
 | Putting the other person down |
| Making the other person feel bad about themselves |
| Calling the other person names |
| Making the other person think they are crazy |
| Playing mind games |
| Humiliating the other person |
| Making the other person feel guilty |
Using Privileges
| Treating the other person like a servant |
| Making all the big decisions |
| Acting like the master of the castle |
| Being the one who determines the roles |
Using Economic Abuse
| Preventing the other person from getting or keeping a job |
| Making the other person ask for money |
| Giving the other person an allowance |
| Taking the other person's money |
| Not letting the other person know about or have access to family income
|
Using Coercion and Threats
| Making or carrying out threats to do something to hurt the other person
|
| Threatening to leave the other person, to commit suicide, report the other
person to welfare |
| Making the other person drop charges |
| Making the other person do illegal things |
Using Intimidation
| Making the other person afraid by using looks, gestures, or actions |
| Smashing things |
| Abusing pets |
| Displaying weapons |
Using Children
| Making the other person feel guilty about the children |
| Using the children to relay messages |
| Using visitation to harass the other person |
| Threatening to take the children away |
Using Isolation
| Controlling what the other person does, who they see and talk to, what's
read, and where they go |
| Limiting their outside involvement |
| Using jealousy to justify actions |
Minimizing, Denying, Blaming
| Making light of the abuse and not taking the other person's concerns about
it seriously |
| Saying the abuse never happened |
| Shifting responsibility for abusive behavior |
| Saying the other person caused it |
HAS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING EVER HAPPENED TO YOU?
Does your partner:
| Blame everyone else especially you, for his or her mistakes?
Yes___ No___
|
| Prevent you from seeing your family or friends?
Yes___ No___
|
| Curse you, say mean things, mock you or humiliate you?
Yes___ No___
|
| Force you to have sex or force you to engage in sex that makes you feel
uncomfortable?
Yes___ No___
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| Restrain, hit, punch, slap, or kick you?
Yes___ No___
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| Intimidate or threaten you?
Yes___ No___
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| Ever prevent you from leaving the house, getting a job, or continuing your
education?
Yes___ No___
|
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be in an abusive
relationship. The Tewksbury Police Department can assist with orders of protection
and counseling.
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