Domestic Violence (Family Violence)
General Information
- How does Connecticut define “Family Violence”?
- What is the law in Connecticut related to domestic violence?
- What orders of protection are available?
- What is the Family Violence Education Program?
Services for Victims of Domestic Violence
- What services does the Office of Victim Services (OVS) provide to victims of domestic violence?
- What services are available to victims of domestic violence through community-based non-profit agencies?
- Is there someone available to provide information and assistance during the court process?
- I am a victim of a family violence crime. Can I speak to a Family Relations Counselor about my situation?
- What are other related Internet websites that may be of interest to domestic violence victims
Information for those charged with domestic
violence
What to Expect from Family
Services:
- What does Family
Services offer its clients in criminal court?
- I have been arrested
for family violence; what will happen on my first court date?
- What
is a protective order and how long will it be in effect?
Referral to Family Services:
- How do I get referred to Family Services?
- I was referred to Family Services by the Court for an assessment. What will happen?
- I have been placed under pre-trial supervision with Family Services. What do I need to do to successfully complete my supervision period?
Program Referrals
- What are the standards for domestic violence offender programs in Connecticut?
- What is the Family Violence Education Program?
- What is the Explore Program?
- What is the Evolve Program?
Restraining Orders
- What is a restraining order?
- Can a restraining order protect me from domestic violence?
- How is Family Services involved on the day of a Temporary Restraining Order Hearing?
- How do I apply for a restraining order and what forms will I need to complete?
- Are there statistics available for orders of protection?
Other information for victims of domestic violence
- What resources does Family Services have available to assist parties in reaching an agreement?
- How can I receive information about an inmate’s status?
- What rights do victims of domestic violence have?
- How can I recover financially from the crime?
- How do I receive notification about court events?
- I have questions about divorce and custody. Can I contact a Family Services office for general information?
General Information
1. How does Connecticut define “Family
Violence”?
Often referred to as “domestic
violence,” Connecticut law defines “family violence” as an event between
family or household members that either causes physical injury, or creates
fear that physical injury is about to happen. Family or household
members include people who are related, people who are, or were, married,
people who live together, people who have a child together, and people who
are, or were recently, in a dating relationship. The law does not view
verbal abuse or arguments as family violence unless there is present danger,
and it is likely that physical violence will happen. In addition, the law
does not view parents’ or guardians’ acts in disciplining minor children as
family violence unless abuse happens. Family violence is not a separate
crime, and any crime that also involves injury or a fear of injury to a
family or household member can be charged as a family violence crime.
Examples of crimes that may be charged as a family violence crime include,
but are not limited to, assault, kidnapping, disorderly conduct, breach of
peace, and sexual assault. In addition, family violence crimes may be
charged as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the facts of the case.
2. What is the law in Connecticut
related to domestic violence?
These
links
offer resources and are provided as a starting point for research.
3. What orders of protection are available?
Depending on the facts of each case, the court can issue restraining orders, protective
orders, and standing criminal protective orders.
Any family or household member who has been under an ongoing threat of
physical pain or physical injury by another family or household member can
apply to the Superior Court for a restraining order. Restraining orders are civil
orders that the court can issue without the accused person being arrested. A
restraining order may tell the person to whom the order applies not to
restrain, threaten, harass, assault, molest, sexually assault, or attack the
victim, not to go into the family home or the victim’s home, and not to hurt
or threaten to hurt any animal owned by the victim. The court may also
extend these orders to protect the victim’s minor children. The court will decide
how long the restraining order should last, and it may stay in force for up
to one year. If the victim thinks that the restraining order should last
longer, he or she can apply for more time, and the court can extend the time
that a restraining order covers the victim if the court thinks more time is
necessary.
Criminal courts can also issue protective orders in cases
where a defendant has been arrested for certain crimes involving assault,
threatening, stalking, harassment, sexual assault, or risk of injury to a
child. Protective orders may tell the defendant not to restrain, threaten,
harass, assault, molest, or sexually assault the victim, not to go into the
victim’s home, and not to hurt or threaten to hurt any animal that the
victim owns. Protective orders stay in force until the criminal case is
finished or the order is changed by the court.
Additionally, criminal courts can issue standing criminal protective orders in cases where a
defendant has been convicted of certain crimes, including the crimes that
would allow the court to issue protective orders, family violence crimes
and, if the court finds a reason why it is necessary, any other crime
committed against the victim by a family or household member. Like
protective orders, standing criminal protective orders may tell the
defendant not to restrain, threaten, harass, assault, molest, sexually
assault or attack the victim, or may tell the defendant not to go into the
family home or the victim’s home. Standing criminal protective orders will
stay in force for as long as the court decides unless the court decides
later that the order should be changed or revoked.
4. What is the Family Violence Education Program?
Family Violence Educational Program (FVEP): The FVEP is a pretrial program
that gives eligible defendants the chance to attend programs that provide
education about family violence instead of going to trial. Any defendant who
wants to take part in the FVEP must submit an application to the court. If
the court grants the defendant’s application, he or she will have to take
part in nine, 90 minute sessions of a psycho-educational class that is
focused on reducing any future family violence. If the defendant completes
this program successfully and follows any other conditions set by the court
during the time he or she is taking part in the FVEP, the court will dismiss
the charges against the defendant. Classes are offered all over the state by
community providers who have contracts with the Judicial Branch.
Services for Victims of Domestic Violence
5. What services does the Office
of Victim Services (OVS) provide to victims of domestic violence?
The Office of Victim Services provides:
(to learn more about a particular service, please click on that service)
6. What services are available to victims of domestic violence through community-based non-profit agencies?
OVS contracts with non-profit agencies to provide
services to victims of domestic violence. These services include, but are
not limited to, information and referral, criminal justice support/advocacy,
therapy, safety planning, group treatment/support, personal advocacy and
assistance in filing applications for victim compensation.
Funding is
provided by the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime,
Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Program, the Connecticut General
Fund, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.
The organizations
below receive funding from the Office of Victim Services to provide services
to victims of domestic violence:
Clifford Beers Guidance Clinic
203-772-1270
Children injured as a result of child sexual abuse, child victims/witnesses of domestic violence,
adult victims of domestic violence, and adults molested as children.
Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence 860-282-7899, Hotline: 888-774-2900
Enhanced statewide domestic violence crisis intervention, referral, and counseling services to
victims of domestic violence. Family Violence Victim Advocate provides
services to adult victims of domestic violence in geographic area courts.
Domestic Violence Crisis Center – Esperanza CT
203-588-9100
Online service center and 24-7 service phone line designed to provide Spanish-speaking victims of domestic violence with immediate
access to information and assistance in their native language.
FSW
203-368-4291
Clinical and support services to victims of domestic violence.
Human Resources Agency of New Britain
860-612-1781
Bi-lingual/bi-cultural advocacy and referral services for Polish crime victims in New Britain.
Wellmore Behavioral Health
203-756-7287
Counseling, support, and advocacy for child victims of physical assault, sexual assault,
and domestic violence. Counseling and support services to adult victims of
domestic violence, sexual assault, or sexual abuse.
7. Is there someone available to provide information and assistance during the court process?
Family Violence Victim Advocates are available in each geographical area court
location. Family Violence Victim Advocates are staff members of the local
domestic violence program. They provide support and services for victims of
family violence. Conversations with a Family Violence Victim Advocate are
confidential. This means a Family Violence Victim Advocate will not tell
anyone else what you have told them unless you give permission to do so or
the law requires it.
There is also a Domestic Violence hotline available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-774-2900, and 1-844-831-9200
(Spanish).
Please be aware that OVS Victim Services Advocates work
with domestic violence victims whose cases have been transferred to the
judicial district.
OVS Helpline
OVS runs a toll-free helpline to assist
callers in obtaining information on OVS programs and services as well as
referrals to various agencies that assist victims and their families.
The OVS victim services advocate assigned to the helpline assists victims whose
cases are heard in a court that does not have an OVS court-based victim
services advocate. Assistance may include informing victims of their rights
and of upcoming court dates and helping victims understand the criminal
justice system. For more information, please call OVS at 800-822-8428,
Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Court Service Centers
Court Service Centers
provide services for self-represented parties, members of the bar, and the
community at large. They are located within Judicial District Courthouses,
and are staffed by Judicial Branch employees trained to assist all court
patrons. Several Court Service Centers have bilingual staff.
8. I am a victim of a Family Violence crime. Can I speak to a Family Relations Counselor about my situation?
Yes, you may contact a Family Relations
Counselor who will provide you with information, assistance and a referral
to a Family Violence Victim Advocate. In the event of a pending family
violence arrest, information you provide to a Family Relations Counselor may
be shared with the Court.
If there has been an arrest and it has been
referred to Family Services for assessment, a Family Relations Counselor
will schedule an appointment to speak to you.
9. What are other related Internet websites that may be helpful to domestic violence victims?
Connecticut Office of the Victim Advocate
United Way of Connecticut, 2-1-1 Infoline
OVS Community-based Non-profit Agencies
Connecticut Department of Correction Victim Services Unit
Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles
Connecticut General Statutes, Title 54, Criminal Procedure, Chapter 968, Victim Services
The Office for Victims of Crime
http://www.thehotline.org/
National Organization for Victim Assistance
National Center for Victims of Crime
National Network to End Domestic Violence
Information for those charged with domestic violence
What to expect from Family Services:
10. What does Family Services offer its
clients in criminal court?
The Family Relations Counselors who work in Family Services will:
- Review all family violence arrests
- Conduct assessment interviews and make recommendations to the court about what should happen with the case
- Keep track of the progress of cases that the court refers to Family Services for pre-trial case management
11. I have been arrested for family violence; what will happen on my first court date?
Typically, a Family Relations Counselor will interview you before you go in front of a
judge the Family Relations Counselor will offer recommendations to the Court regarding:
- The level of Protective Order that may be necessary
- The possibility of referring you to Family Services for a more in-depth assessment
- Whether you might be eligible to have the court refer you to additional programs and
services, given the facts of your case
12. What is a protective order and how
long will it be in effect?
A protective
order is an order issued by a judge to protect a victim in a criminal case
that involves assault, threatening, stalking, harassment, sexual assault, or
risk of injury to a child. This order may require you to keep from
restraining, threatening, harassing, assaulting, molesting, or sexually
assaulting the protected person, to stay out of the protected person’s home,
and or to keep from hurting or threatening to hurt any animal owned by the
protected person. This order will stay in force until your criminal case is
over or the order is changed by the Court.
If you are convicted of any of the crimes listed above, a family violence
crime or, under certain circumstances, any other crime against a family or
household member, though, the criminal court may issue a standing criminal
protective order when it thinks that your history and character and the
facts of the case require it. Like protective orders, standing criminal
protective orders may tell the defendant not to restrain, threaten, harass,
assault, molest, sexually assault or attack the victim, or may tell the
defendant not to go into the family home or the victim’s home. Standing
criminal protective orders will stay in force for as long as the court
decides unless the court decides later that the order should be changed or
revoked.
Referral to Family Services:
13. How do I get referred to Family Services?
If you are arrested for a family violence crime, A Family Relations Counselor will
interview you before your first court appearance. After you are arraigned,
the Family Relations Counselor will tell the court whether the Counselor
thinks you should be referred to Family Services.
If you are the victim of a family violence crime, the Family Relations Counselor will make a referral to have
a Family Violence Victim Advocate to get in touch with you. The Family
Relations Counselor may also speak to you at the court hearing.
14. I was referred to Family Services by the Court for
an assessment. What will happen next?
You will get a date and time
for an interview with a Family Relations Counselor. You may get this
appointment while you are in court or you may get a letter in the mail with
the date of the appointment.
You will need
to come to this meeting on time. If you cannot keep the appointment you
should call the Family Relations Counselor who has been assigned to your
case.
A report will be sent to the court, indicating if any services
like the Family Violence Education Program are appropriate for the court to
consider.
15. I have been placed under pre-trial
supervision with Family Services. What do I need to do to successfully
complete my supervision period?
- Follow all court orders
- Take part in any court-ordered treatment programs
- Cooperate with the Family Relations Counselor who has been assigned to your case
- Live a violence-free lifestyle
Program Referrals:
16. What are the standards for domestic violence offender programs in Connecticut?
Standards for Connecticut Domestic Violence
Offender Programs may be found here
A list of providers who have committed to following the standards of the
Domestic Violence Offender Program Standards Advisory Council can be found
here:
17. What is the Family
Violence Education Program?
Family Violence Educational Programs (FVEP): The FVEP is a pretrial program
that gives eligible defendants the chance to attend programs that provide
education about family violence instead of going to trial. Any defendant who
wants to take part in the FVEP must submit an application to the court. If
the court grants your application, you will have to take part in nine, 90
minute sessions of a psycho-educational class that is focused on reducing
any future family violence. If you complete this program successfully and
follow any other conditions set by the court during the time that you are in
the FVEP, the court will dismiss the family violence charges against you.
Classes are offered all over the state by community providers who have
contracts with the Judicial Branch.
18.
What is the Explore
Program?
Explore is a group-based program for men who have been
convicted of domestic violence crimes against female intimate partners. The
court can either refer you into this program or make taking part in this
program a condition of your probation. You will be required to take part in
26 weekly classes that are 90 minutes long. The classes for this program are
offered all over the state by agencies that have contracted with the
Judicial Branch.
19. What is the Evolve Program?
Evolve is a behavior modification group-based program for
male offenders convicted of domestic violence crimes against female intimate
partners. The court can either refer you into this program or make taking
part in this program a condition of your probation. The classes meet twice a
week for 26 weeks (for a total of 52 sessions), and are currently available
in Bridgeport, New Haven, New London, Norwich, and Waterbury by agencies
that have contracted with the Judicial Branch.
Restraining orders
20. What is a restraining order?
A restraining order is an order from the court that tells someone to stop
hurting or threatening a protected person. The order can be against:
- Your spouse or former spouse
- Someone you are dating or used to date
- Your child/children’s other parent
- Your child, parent, or other relative
- Someone you live with or used to live with
- A caretaker who is providing shelter to a person 60 years old or older
Any family or household member who has
been under an ongoing threat of physical pain or physical injury by another
family or household member can apply to the
Superior
Court for a restraining order. Restraining orders are civil orders that
the court can issue without the accused person being arrested. A restraining
order may tell the person to whom the order applies not to restrain, molest,
sexually assault, or attack the victim, not to go into the family home or
the victim’s home, and not to hurt or threaten to hurt any animal owned by
the victim. The court may also extend these orders to protect the victim’s
minor children. The court will decide how long the restraining order should
last, and it may stay in force for up to one year. If the victim thinks that
the restraining order should last longer, he or she can apply for more time,
and the court can extend the time that a restraining order covers the victim
if the court thinks more time is necessary.
21. Can a restraining order protect me from domestic violence?
A restraining order can order a person not to:
- Assault, threaten, abuse, harass, follow, interfere with, or stalk the
protected person
- Contact the protected person in any manner, including by written,
electronic or telephone contact
- Contact the protected person’s home or workplace
- Get closer than 100 yards from the protected person
- Go into the protected person’s home
- Hurt or threaten to hurt any animal that the protected person owns
For more information on restraining orders,
go to
Ctlawhelp.
22. How is Family Services involved on
the day of a Temporary Restraining Order Hearing?
Before the matter goes
to the judge, the Family Relations Counselor will meet separately with the
applicant and respondent to gather information and identify the nature of
the issues. The Family Relations Counselor will prepare a written agreement
for self-represented parties if a resolution is reached. The Court will be
notified that a hearing is necessary if there is no agreement between the
parties.
23. How do I apply for a
restraining order and what forms will I need to complete?
Restraining Orders:
How To Apply for Relief from Abuse is a brochure that outlines the steps
that you will need to take to apply for a restraining order. This
video describes
How to Apply for a Temporary Restraining Order, including who may apply for
a restraining order and what forms need to be completed.
In order to apply for a restraining order, you will need to fill out these
forms: (You can get the forms at any courthouse or at www.jud.ct.gov/webforms/.)
- Application for
Relief from Abuse (JD-FM-137). This form tells the judge the names,
addresses, and birth dates of the people in your case. It also lets you tell
the court if the person that you want the restraining order against has
guns.
- Affidavit for
Relief from Abuse (JD-FM-138). This form tells the judge why you need a
restraining order.
-
Request for
Nondisclosure of Location Information (JD-FM-188). This form lets you
ask the court to keep your location information out of the public file.
If you have children under 18 and, you are
asking the court to order that your children live with you, you will also need to fill out:
- Affidavit
Concerning Children (JD-FM-164). This form tells the judge what children
are involved in the case, and where they have lived for the last 5 years.
If you need help to fill out these forms, you can get more information at:
http://www.jud.ct.gov/forms/grouped/family/restraining_order.htm or you
can visit a Court Service Center.
24. Are there statistics available for orders of protection?
The Judicial Branch maintains
statistics on the number of orders of
protection issued each year.
Other
information for victims of domestic violence
25. What resources do family services have available to assist parties in reaching an agreement?
TThe role of
Family Services is to assist the Court and clients in the timely and fair
resolution of family and interpersonal conflicts through a comprehensive
program of dispute resolution services, evaluation and education.
For a
complete list of programs, see the Family Services Programs brochure.
26. How can I receive information about an inmate’s status?
The State of Connecticut's Protection Order Registry Notification Program
automatically tells protected parties when protective orders end and when
there are only five weeks left before restraining orders end.
The Post-Conviction Notification Program can give people who are interested
information about changes in the status of convicted inmates. This may
include the dates and locations of:
- Parole hearings
- Sentence review hearings
- Sentence modification hearings
- When an inmate gets out of a correctional institution
- When an inmate gets out of a correctional institution on parole
- When an inmate is allowed to go to a halfway house
- When an inmate gets out of a correctional institution under transitional supervision release
- Pardons hearings
The Department of Correction (DOC) Victim Services Unit
also runs a confidential victim notification program that sends victims a
notice when an inmate is released, escapes, or is scheduled for a sentence
review or parole hearing. To learn more about the DOC notification program,
please contact the DOC Victim Services Unit at 888-869-7057 or
visit the Department of Correction website.
Persons who may ask to get this kind of notice include:
- Crime victims/li>
- Parents/guardians
- Relatives of crime victims
- Legal representatives of crime victims
- Inmate family members
- State's attorneys
To register for notification please complete the Confidential
Request for Notification of Status of Inmate. All requests are
confidential. Every person who registers for notification is responsible
for telling OVS about changes to his or her telephone number and/or address.
For more information, please call OVS at 800-822-8428, Monday - Friday, 8:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
27. What rights do victims of domestic violence have?
Victims of domestic violence have certain rights defined by Connecticut and
federal laws. These rights include the right to:
- Get notice of any court proceedings
- Go to any court proceedings, except if the victim is going to testify at the
defendant’s trial and the court finds that the victim should not hear the
other trial testimony
- Get compensation or restitution from the defendant
- Get information about the arrest, conviction, sentence, imprisonment, and
release of the defendant
See more information about the rights you might have as a victim of a crime,
28.
How can I recover
financially from the crime?
Crime Victim
Compensation
OVS manages the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund to
assist crime victims in recovering from the financial and emotional impact
of a crime. This Fund supports the OVS Compensation Program that provides
reimbursement and financial assistance for expenses related to the crime,
such as medical, dental, counseling, and lost wages. The Compensation
Program does not provide financial assistance for any non-economic loss,
including property loss, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Learn more about crime victim compensation.
Restitution
Restitution is payment by the offender to the victim to cover
some or all of the costs associated with a crime. It is ordered by a judge.
The offender usually pays the Court Support Services Division. The
Court Support Services Division then sends the check to the victim. To
request restitution in a criminal court case, contact the State’s Attorney
Office or the OVS victim services advocate located in the court where the
criminal case will be prosecuted.
29. How do I receive notification about
court dates?
Crime victims or individuals interested in a specific
criminal case may register to receive notification from the Connecticut
Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification System (CT SAVIN).
Registration is free and confidential and you may register in English or
Spanish. You may receive notifications in English, Spanish, Portuguese
or Polish.
Learn more about SAVIN
30. I have questions about divorce and
custody. Can I contact a Family Services office for general information?
Yes, you may contact a Family Services Office for help with your questions;
however, the office cannot give legal advice. This website contains a
list
of local Family Services’ Offices.
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