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Blog 2020 March Recognizing & Reporting Domestic Violence in Texas
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Recognizing & Reporting Domestic Violence in Texas

Posted By Kathryn Marteeny || 5-Mar-2020

Before reading any further: If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, please call or text the national domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224, respectively. Alternatively, you can click this link to find a list of domestic violence resources, such as shelters, in Texas.

Recognizing domestic violence or abuse can be difficult. Understanding what signs to look for can help you identify and report acts of domestic cruelty before they escalate.

Common Signs of Domestic Violence

You may be experiencing domestic violence if your partner:

  • Regularly puts you down or insults you;
  • Isolates you, preventing you from seeing family members and friends (or in extreme cases, from attending work or school);
  • Attempts to control your finances, the searches you make on digital devices, and how you communicate with others;
  • Threatens you with violence;
  • Commits any act of physical violence against you without your consent, including hitting, slapping and choking;
  • Forces you to engage in sexual acts against your will;
  • Tells you that nobody (including law enforcement) will take the abuse seriously due to identifying factors you possess, such as sexual or racial identity (if you are a minority).

A person suffering from domestic abuse might:

  • Have bruises on the arms, face, and throat;
  • Have split lips;
  • Have sprained wrists;
  • Act in an isolated manner (especially if the noncommunication occurs suddenly);
  • Act in an abnormal manner (such as behaving unusually emotionally or aggressively when asked about their partner);
  • Take steps to cover signs of abuse (like wearing heavy makeup or clothing to cover bruises};
  • Display a sudden dip in self-esteem or a sudden rise in depression and anxiety;
  • Ask their partner before engaging in any activity (asking their permission to socialize with friends, for example);
  • Communicate with their partner constantly, even in situations that don't warrant it;
  • Joke about how their partner is "jealous" or "possessive;"
  • Be unable to leave the house unless their partner goes with them;
  • Fail to have money on-hand (this is common in situations where an individual constrains their partner's finances).

Control is the defining characteristic of abusive relationships and the calling card for the cycle of domestic violence.

According to most law enforcement professionals, the cycle of domestic violence consists of three phases. For example, the Los Angeles Police Department's Domestic Violence Department separates the cycle into three distinct phases:

  1. The tension-building phase. In this phase, the abuser begins to control their partner. The abuser's end goal is to create a situation that "justifies" an act of abuse in their mind. They often become increasingly controlling to the point it's impossible for the victim to possibly please the abuser.
  2. The acute battering incident. In this phase, the abuser commits an act of violence. Frequently, abusers start out by committing a "smaller" act of abuse (such as a slap they claim is accidental, or punching a door next to the victim's face), but the abuse almost always escalates.
  3. The remorseful phase. In the final phase, the abuser apologizes and tries to reap forgiveness from the victim. They may be unusually kind or charming. If the victim forgives them, the abuser once again initiates the tension-building phase.

If you experience domestic abuse, no matter how remorseful the abuser seems or how "small" the act of abuse was, you should seek help immediately. Domestic abuse, unfortunately, tends to escalate quickly, so addressing the problem early is essential.

How to Report Domestic Abuse in Texas

If you are a domestic abuse victim, you should contact law enforcement professionals in your area immediately. In bigger cities, such as Dallas, police departments typically have a dedicated domestic violence department you can reach out to. You can contact the Dallas Domestic Violence Squad by dialing (214)-671-4304.

A law enforcement professional will come to your location and remove you from the premises if they see evidence of domestic abuse domestic violence. They will then take you to a local courthouse, where you can file for a restraining order against the alleged abuser.

You should consult the court clerk about filing for an emergency protective order. An emergency protective order goes into effect as soon as a judge can issue it, and gives you protection from your abuser while you work with a lawyer to get a more permanent protective order.

Once you have a restraining order, you can begin working with a domestic violence attorney to compile your case. This phase typically involves gathering evidence of the abuse and attending a court hearing. The judge will then decide whether to issue a longer-term or permanent restraining order against the alleged abuser.

At the Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny, we help victims of domestic abuse receive the care and compassion they deserve.

To attain a consultation with one of our domestic violence lawyers or learn more about our firm, contact us online.

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