Domestic Violence under state statutes deals with physical abuse.
However, in reality, domestic violence is a pattern of control in which there may never be physical abuse. The abuse could be financial, emotional, spiritual, social, psychological, and sexual.
We encourage you to contact a local shelter or other service provider to help you determine what is best for you. Shelters provide support groups, housing, counseling, help with filing protective orders, court advocacy, and other services. Shelters have numerous community partnerships to help victims start a life free from abuse. Safety planning is critical. Be sure to have your driver’s license, birth certificate, social security card, etc. somewhere other than your home.
Arkansas Law 952 of 2015 requires Healthy Relationship and Teen Dating Violence awareness in all Arkansas public schools.
Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence. Domestic violence may come in the forms of psychological, physical, financial, emotional, and sexual abuse. Other domestic violence may be in the forms of gaslighting, male privilege, intimidation, and stalking.
Domestic Violence Law: Notice enhanced penalties if there are past offenses or if a woman is expecting a child.
For Support Call:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800)799-SAFE(7233)
To Receive 24 hour help click the shelters link and call the shelter.
The Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence is not a 24/7 service.
Reminder: The most dangerous time in a relationship is when the victim has made the decision to end the relationship. (It may not even be physical leaving, it could be emotionally leaving that may increase the intensity of physical danger).
Find a Shelter
Find a shelter near you no matter where you are. DomesticShelters.org
Find plain-language information for about at WomensLaw.org.
Victims can also seek a restraining order or an "order of protection" from a court to protect themselves from their abuser. Restraining orders are either temporary or permanent.
A temporary restraining order may be issued without the abuser present on the same day a petition is filed if the court believes that the victim is in immediate danger or an abuser is scheduled to be released from prison within 30 days and the victim believes that he or she will be in danger once the abuser is released. A temporary restraining order is valid from the time a petition is filed until the full court hearing for the permanent restraining order, which is generally 30 days.
A permanent restraining order requires a full court hearing with the abuser present so that the court can hear both sides before deciding upon the issuance of the order. The order lasts for 90 days - 10 years. The order may be renewed after it expires if the court finds that the threat of domestic violence still exists.
If a restraining or protective order is violated by the abuser, it is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison and up to $2,500 in fines. A second offense is a Class D felony punishable by up to 6 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
If a person has been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence within the past five years, the second offense enhances the misdemeanor to a felony level. Penalties are also enhanced if the victim is expecting a child. Contact a domestic violence shelter, law office, or Prosecuting Attorney’s Offices for the most accurate information on these laws.
988
Text 988
For Deaf/Hard of Hearing (800) 799-4889
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Cite: According to
