Family Violence
Family Violence in Texas
Texas law defines “Family Violence” as an act by a member of a family or household against another member of the family or household that is intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault or that is a threat that reasonably places the member in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault, but does not include defensive measures to protect oneself; abuse involving a member of a family or household toward a child of the family or household; or dating violence.
Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that women who obtained a permanent restraining order, known in Texas law as a protective order, were 80% less likely to be assaulted than women who had previously been assaulted, but who had not subsequently obtained a permanent protective order. Temporary protective orders made little to no difference in the risk of repeat violence, but women who only obtained a temporary order, and not a permanent order, were almost five times more likely to be psychologically abused by their partner.
Does your partner:
· Embarrass you with bad names and put-downs?
· Look at you, or act, in ways that scare you?
· Control what you do, who you see or talk to, or where you go?
· Stop you from seeing or talking to friends or family?
· Take your money or Social Security, make you ask for money, or refuse to give you money?
· Make all of the decisions?
· Tell you that you are a bad parent or threaten to take away or hurt your children?
· Act like the abuse is no big deal, it’s your fault, or even denies doing it?
· Destroy your property or threaten to kill your pets?
· Intimidate you with guns, knives, or other weapons?
· Shove you, slap you, or hit you?
· Force you to drop criminal charges?
· Threaten to commit suicide?
· Threaten to kill you?
If you believe that you or a loved one has been a victim of family violence, you will need the experience of a family law attorney who has been involved in such situations to protect yourself, your rights, your children, and your children’s rights.
Our firm has served the Dallas area for over 40 years, and attorney Jerry W. Melton is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. We have the resources to answer all of your questions concerning family violence and the qualifications to present a strong case for you. Please fill out our form online or call 972-980-8000 today to schedule a free consultation.
Get Help Now
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National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 1-800-787-3224 (TDD) |
Texas Council on Family Violence Toll-Free: 1-800-525-1978 Phone: 512-794-1133 Facsimile: 512-794-1199 |