October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. What was initially a prediction has now been confirmed as a reality – domestic violence (sometimes referred to as intimate partner violence or “IPV”) is on the rise as part of the seemingly endless fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some links to what experts are seeing around the country:
A Pandemic Within a Pandemic: Intimate Partner Violence During Covid-19
With all the social isolation, safe and discreet access to community resources is key. If you or a loved one are experiencing domestic violence but don’t know where to turn, here are some resources:
- Domestic Violence and Parenting
- Sheltering In Place and Domestic Violence
- Orders of Protection: Sometimes you may need to take legal steps to best protect yourself and others in your care in a domestic violence situation. Earlier this year, Arizona launched a new online platform to file for and obtain an Order of Protection remotely, safely, and free of charge. It’s called AZPOINT (Arizona Protective Order Initiation and Notification Tool). You can access the portal here.
- Pima County Text Message Option: Just last month, Pima County rolled out a new text message option for their 911 answering systems. If you are facing a threatening or violent situation with your intimate partner or other family member in the home and cannot safely make a voice call to 911, the texting feature allows you to discreetly make initial contact with a 911 dispatcher. Learn more here.
Message from The McCarthy Law Firm
Please know that there are options for safely exiting a violent situation. If you need help with filing for an Order of Protection or obtaining parenting time orders to better protect your minor children from an abusive or controlling partner or any other family law matter, the McCarthy Law Firm has the expertise to handle it. Please call us at 520-623-0341 to explore your options. Turning Stress Into Solutions ™.