Six years
ago when Melanie married Jake, she never imagined that one day he would hold
her hand on the burning stove until she had 3rd degree burns. She
never dreamed that he would beat her in front of their 5 year old daughter. She
never thought she would be a victim of domestic violence and would require a
protection order. The daily tortures that she was receiving became her reality
and she was scared. Scared of the unknown, scared because she did not know
where to turn, scared because she felt her world was closing in on her and she
felt like she suffocating.
Like
Melanie, one in four women have been subject to domestic violence. Many of
these women find the courage and strength to go through the protection order
process. On the other hand, many of these women are intimidated by the legal
system or do not have the information they need to obtain a protection order. These women need to feel empowered and receive
the appropriate help they so deserve. By allowing these victims to obtain a protection
order early from their predators, the problem may be resolved before it reaches
the next level.
A
protection order can protect these women who have suffered from domestic
violence by ordering the abuser to stay away from them. There are three
locations where victims can apply for a protection order: Superior Court,
District Court, and Municipal Court. These victims can obtain protection order
forms form the Clerk’s office or from the Protection Order Advocates Office.
The
person who requests a protective order is known as the petitioner, the other
person is known as the respondent. In Utah, a protective order can do many
varying things, for instance it can order the respondent to not harm the
petitioner, the petitioner’s children or anyone else who may live with the
petitioner. It can also order the respondents to stay away from the petitioners
home, job, vehicle, school and not to contact or harass the petitioner in any
way, shape or form. It may also order the respondent to not have any guns or
other weapons, order temporary custody, support for the children, or
parent-time, order temporary spousal support if those filing are married and
order the children to be removed from Utah.
Although
Melanie’s story has a violent beginning, it has a happy ending. Melanie was
able to receive the help she deserved and is no longer a victim of domestic
violence. Today, Melanie and her daughter are adjusting to their new life full
of hope, safety, and happiness. They are also grateful they left behind the fear
and uncertainty their future once held.
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