Domestic
Violence Assistance
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 9-1-1
Protective
Orders
According to NH
law if you feel that law enforcement protection is needed for your physical
safety, you have the right to request that the officer assist you in providing
for your safety, including asking for an emergency telephonic order for
protection. You may also request that
the officer assist you in obtaining from your premises, toiletries, medication,
clothing, business equipment, and any other items as determined by the court
and in locating and taking you to a local safe place including but not limited
to, a designated meeting place to be used as a crisis center, a family member
or friend’s residence or a similar place of safety. If you are in need of medical attention you
have the right to request that the officer assist you in obtaining an
ambulance. You may request a copy of the
report filled by the police officer at no cost, from the law enforcement
department.
If you need to get your
personal items out of your apartment or house you can contact the police
department and set up an appointment for a civil stand by, and the police will
accompany you to collect your essential items, these are usually are limited to
10 to 15 minutes, if the 2nd party is not at home the police will
not assist with an unauthorized entry.
If you have been
subjected to abuse by a spouse or intimate partner, you may petition the
court for protective orders to prevent further abuse, prevent harassment for
you or your family, grant exclusive possession of your residence, provide for
custody of children, and provide for financial support.
You may petition the
District or the Superior Court for an Order of
Protection FOR FREE against the abusive person. The
court will issue these Protective Orders
after you have provided sufficient information under oath. It is helpful if you
have the dates and times of the abuse but it is not required. Remember the
order is not in effect until it is
served by a police officer.
If either of the District court or Superior court is not open the Police
Department will provide you with an Emergency
Order of Protection. An Emergency Order of
Protection is only good until the court closes on the next business day.
Information on
resources, access to support groups, and non-judgmental advice may be obtained
freely and confidentially through the Women's Crisis Services of the Monadnock Region.
If the
investigating officer feels there is probable cause to believe that an assault
or other criminal violation has occurred, the offender should be
arrested. An abusive person may be arrested for assault, stalking,
threats, trespassing, vandalism, violating a protective order, or any other
crime.
When the
offender is arrested he/she may be held in jail or released on bail. A
condition of bail will be to have no contact with you until the matter is
resolved in court.
If you feel
there is cause for your abuser to be arrested but the investigating offer feels
there are insufficient grounds for arrest, you may speak to a supervising
officer or consult an attorney.
Safety First. Always
report incidents of domestic violence.
The Hancock
Police Department is concerned for your safety and the safety of your family,
and is trained in handling situations involving domestic violence, stalking,
and other personal issues.
Protective Orders (restraining orders) and Bail
Conditions help to ensure your safety.
Your safety and
the safety of your children may depend on developing a safety plan for your
protection. For more information on safety planning, contact Women's
Crises Services.
If there has
been no violence in your home, but arguments and disturbances are becoming
frequent, contact a local service for assistance.
Jaffrey--
NH Legal
Referral System (Pro Bono) 1-800-639-5290
Victim/Witness Advocate,
12 Court Street,
State Crime
Victim Compensation, State House Annex,
Statewide
domestic violence hotline 1-866-644-3574
Statewide sexual
assault hotline 1-800-277-5570