FAYETTE COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCE GUIDE

Fayette County

DomestiC ViolenCe ResouRCe GuiDe

Everything you need to know about:

♦

CRIMINAL COURT

PROTECTIVE ORDERS

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Funds Provided By:

Kentucky Justice Cabinet

VAWA Grant 2012-Fayette-00294

Revised November 2013

Sponsored by:

Ofce of the Fayette County Sheriff

If you have been assaulted, threatened, stalked or forced

sexually by your partner, you may feel embarrassed, afraid, or

overwhelmed. You may have many doubts about what to do and

how to get help.

This booklet shows how many people are available in our

community to help you. It explains the court process. We

encourage you to read it slowly, a little at a time, and keep it with

you to reread and use as a reference in the days ahead.

Domestic violence is a serious crime. No one has the right

to assault you, threaten you, stalk you, or force you to have

unwanted sexual contact. You have the right to be protected.

If you are abused or threatened by a family member, partner,

or former partner, or you are sexually assaulted or stalked by

anyone you can get help from the Fayette County criminal justice

system and community agencies (such as GreenHouse17 @

1-800-544-2022 or the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center @ 1-800-

656-4673).

The two primary legal options for victims are criminal charges

and protective orders, both of which are described in this booklet.

Victims of domestic violence can use one or both options.

What is human tRaFFiCkinG?

At the most basic level, human trafcking is a denial of basic human

rights and it is against the law. Human trafcking is forcing, tricking, or

manipulating someone to work in the labor or sex industries. Sometimes

perpetrators use manipulation against someone until the victim feels there

is no way out.

The following questions can help you determine whether your situation

could be a situation of human trafcking.

• Are you not free to leave your job or situation if you want?

• Are you not free to come and go as you please?

• Have you been threatened if you try to leave?

• Were you told you would have a legitimate job, and then later found out

you must do work in a job you do not feel is legitimate?

• Are you working off a debt that never seems to go away?

• Have you been threatened that you will be turned over to police or

immigration ofcials?

• Has anyone threatened your family?

• Have you been abused physically or sexually?

• Does someone prohibit you from socializing or attending religious

services?

• Are you working in the sex industry and feel trapped?

If you answered yes to some of these questions, it is possible that you have

experienced human trafcking. Human trafcking is not your fault and there

are resources available to help you.

If you need someone to talk to or would like information about ways to

leave a dangerous situation, consider calling the Bluegrass Rape Crisis

Center’s 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-656-4673, or the National Human

Trafcking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Services are available regardless

of your language or immigration status. It is possible to get back on your

feet and be safe again.

DistRiCt CouRt

CRiminal pRoCeDuRe

Warrant

Arraignment

Hearing

Pre-Trial

Trial

Family CouRt

CiVil pRoCeDuRe

Emergency Protective Order

Summons to Court

(issued immediately)

Hearing

(held within 14 days)

Domestic Violence Order

FaCts aBout DomestiC ViolenCe

anD sexual assault

• Domestic violence, or partner abuse, is the mistreatment of a

man or woman by his or her partner. It is a pattern of controlling

behavior that can involve physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, and

nancial abuse. Abusers often use and abuse children, other

family members and pets to hurt the other person. They often

destroy the other person’s property too.

• Each year in Kentucky, approximately 25,000 emergency

protective orders are issued and over 4,000 women and children

take shelter in a domestic violence center.

• Kentucky has the highest rate of stalking in the nation. One in four

women in Kentucky are stalked during their lifetime, compared to

one in six nationally.

• Domestic violence and sexual assault cut across all social,

economic, racial, cultural, and religious barriers. Approximately

85% of victims are female; 15% are male. Most rape victims

know their attacker.

• Abused pregnant women are at risk of maternal stress,

miscarriages, stillbirths and injuries to the fetus.

• Many abusers blame their violence on alcohol and drugs. Although

an abuser may have only been violent while intoxicated, substance

abuse and domestic violence are two different problems. Alcohol

and drugs do not cause violence, but they may make it worse.

• Abusers are unlikely to stop the abuse without intervention. They

must accept responsibility for their actions and seek resources to

help them change. Even then, it is difcult to make permanent

changes.

• Contrary to what most people believe, most domestic violence

victims do get out of violent relationships. Getting out, however,

does not guarantee safety. Some women are injured or killed

trying to leave. Ask any agency in the brochure for help with

safety planning.

• For more information, see the National Intimate Partner and Sexual

Violence Survey at www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/nisvs

CRiminal ChaRGes



A criminal complaint is a request for the judge to issue criminal charges

against the person accused of committing the crime (known as the

defendant once charges are led). The purpose of a criminal charge

is to stop the abusive behavior by punishing the defendant. A criminal

charge lets the defendant know that violence is unacceptable and illegal.

If convicted, the defendant may receive jail, probation, and/or a ne as

punishment for the crime committed. The defendant may also be ordered

to a batterer intervention program and/or substance abuse treatment.



If the police are called at the time of the abuse, they may make an arrest

or le charges. Otherwise, you will need to le a criminal complaint as

the victim of the crime, or the parent/guardian of the victim.



When the police arrive, they may arrest the defendant if there is evidence

that a crime has occurred. They have an obligation to protect, so they

may make an arrest even if that is not what you request. Even if the

police ofcer cannot make an arrest, he/she will usually take a report

and may le for a warrant and continue to pursue the defendant. The

police report will be given to the Domestic Violence Unit of the Division of

Police and someone will attempt to contact you about your options and to

answer questions you might have. If the police do not make an arrest or

le for a warrant, you can le a criminal complaint (see below for further

information).



Complaints can be led M-F 8:00 am to 4:30 p.m. in the County

Attorney’s Ofce on the third oor of the District Courthouse at 150 N.

Limestone St., and from 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Clerk’s Ofce on

the rst oor (where protective orders are led). After 8:00 p.m. and on

weekends and holidays:

1) Go to the 1st oor and ask the clerk if a representative from the

Fayette County Attorney’s Ofce is available.

2) If no representative is available, call the Police at 258-3600 or 911.

3) Ask the police to come to the 1st oor of District Court to take a

Domestic Violence Report.

4) If the police cannot come, ask the clerk to call a representative from

the County Attorney’s Ofce.

For more help, call the GreenHouse17 crisis line at 1-800-544-2022.



4 29

Common ChaRGes

plaCeD in DomestiC ViolenCe Cases

  ♦ Assault

  ♦ Criminal mischief

  ♦ Criminal trespass

  ♦ Endangering the welfare of a minor

  ♦ Harassment

  ♦ Harassing communications

  ♦ Menacing

  ♦ Sexual offenses (several different charges)

  ♦ Stalking

  ♦ Terroristic threatening

  ♦ Theft

  ♦ Unlawful imprisonment

  ♦ Violation of a protective order

  ♦ Wanton endangerment

Probation - a conditional release of a person convicted of a crime by

the court. Conditions are attached to the release and the court may

impose the original sentence if the probationer is found in violation of

those conditions.

Respondent - a person accused of threatening or abusive behavior on a

protective order.

Subpoena - a court order requiring a person to be in court at a certain

time.

Verdict - the decision of the judge or jury at the end of a trial that the accused

defendant is either guilty or not guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt, of

the crime for which he or she has been tried.

1) A criminal complaint must be led in the county where the crime

occurred.

2) You must be 18 years old and have a photo ID. People under 18

must have a parent or guardian accompany them to le, unless they are

married.

3) You will need to bring a copy of the police report or the case number

of the report to le a complaint. If you don’t have one, you may contact

the police at 258-3600 for further investigation. You should also take the

names and addresses of witnesses with you.



After a complaint is led, a judge will review it and may do one of the

following:

• Issue a summons for the defendant to appear in court without being

arrested. The rst court date will be set when the defendant is served

with the summons.

• Issue a warrant for the defendant’s arrest. If arrested, the defendant

will appear in District Court the following business day for arraignment.

You do not have to appear in court unless you are subpoenaed.

It may be a few days after the complaint is led before a warrant or a

summons is issued and served. If you feel this puts you in danger, you may

contact a victim advocate in the Division of Police or one of the agencies

listed in the Community Resources section (See pages 15-20).



Anyone who is arrested may be able to post bond or get some other kind

of release from jail. Because a release from jail is always possible, you

should plan for your safety even if the defendant is arrested. You may

want to register with VINE, a computer operated notication system, to

be notied of the defendant’s release from jail. You will only be notied

if you register. You can also get the defendant’s custody status, criminal

case information or protective order information by calling VINE without

being required to register (See below).



You can be notied of an offender’s release from jail or prison, a transfer

to another jail or prison, or an escape by registering with the VINE

system. You will not be notied of work releases or furloughs. The

VINE system covers inmates in all Kentucky jails and prisons. You will

be instructed on how to register (free-of-charge) when you call. The

defendant will not be notied that you have registered. Once you have

been notied of a release, transfer, or escape you must register again

if you want to be notied of a future release, transfer, or escape. CALL

528

leGal teRms

Accused - a person formally charged but not yet tried for committing a crime.

Acquittal - a judgment of a court, based on the decision of either a jury

or a judge, that a person accused is not guilty, beyond a reasonable

doubt, of the crime for which he/she has been tried.

Appeal - a request by either the defense or the prosecution that the results

of a decision on certain motions, or of a trial, be reviewed by a higher

court.

Assault - an illegal physical attack by one person against another.

Conviction - a judgment of the court, based either on the decision of a

jury or a judge or on the guilty plea of the accused, that the accused

is guilty of a crime.

Defendant - a person who has been formally charged with committing a

crime.

Defense Attorney - the lawyer who represents the defendant in a legal

proceeding.

Felony - a crime for which the punishment can be imprisonment in a state

prison, usually for one year or more.

Guilty Plea - a formal response by a person accused of committing a specic

crime in which the accused says the charges are true and he/she did

commit the crime.

Misdemeanor - a crime for which the punishment can be imprisonment for

up to twelve months in a jail and/or a ne of up to $500.

Parole - a conditional release of a person from a prison. Conditions are

attached to the release and the parolee may be returned to prison if

found in violation of those conditions.

Plea Bargain - an agreement between the prosecutor and the defense

attorney that the defendant will plead guilty to a crime. The defendant

agrees to the penalty recommended by the prosecutor. The agreement

may be that the defendant will plead guilty to a lesser charge or there

may be a dismissal of some charges in exchange for the guilty plea.

1-800-511-1670 (toll free) to register.



If you have visible injuries, you should have photographs taken for use as

evidence in court. Some injuries, such as bruises, might become more

visible one to several days after the incident, in which case you will want

to have them photographed again. You can request that photographs be

taken by the Ofce of the Fayette County Sheriff or the Division of Police.

If photographs of your injuries exist, always make sure the court is aware.

If you receive medical treatment for your injuries, you may request that your

physician take photographs.





It is important to keep all documentation and evidence you might have

related to the abuse or threats of harm that you have experienced, such as:

• Threatening voice and text messages, emails, cards, notes, social

media posts, etc. (including messages sent through a third party)

• Photos or video documentation

• Medical documentation

• Witness(es) names and contact information

• Written documentation you have kept, such as a journal or diary

If the police are involved, make them aware of the documentation and

evidence that you have or that may be available. They may help preserve

evidence for you. If the police aren’t involved, it is still important to keep

all evidence and documentation, even if it seems small or insignicant.

These items may help the criminal justice system understand what you

have experienced and/or make a difference in how the court views your

case. Documentation is particularly critical if you are being stalked. Ask

a victim advocate or go to www.outrageus.org for more information on

documenting stalking.



You are only required to appear in court when subpoenaed. A subpoena

is a court order requiring you to be in court at a certain time. It is extremely

important to be on time!

A defendant can plead guilty at any stage of the court process, following

arraignment. This, and several other things, will determine how far through

the court process the case will go, and how long it will take. The step-by-

step court process is as follows:

Arraignment: The defendant’s rst court date is to notify him/her of the

6 27

aDDitional Community ResouRCes

In addition to the community resources listed on pages 15-20, you may also

want to contact the following organizations for more information:

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services

245-5414 or 1-800-752-6200 (nights and weekends)

chfs.ky.gov

The Cabinet investigates all reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of

older and disabled adults. Cabinet social workers provide general adult

services including: information and referral, protection, and assistance in

securing health, nancial, legal, and housing services.

Lexington Senior Citizens Center

278-6072

On-site social workers are available to provide services and support to

elderly residents in the community. In addition, many programs that serve

the elderly are available at the Center.

Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass

277-9215 or 1-877-787-0077

www.ombuddy.org

Ombudsmen advocate on behalf of residents in nursing homes, personal

care homes, and family care homes. Their primary objectives are to

protect the rights of residents, work to resolve residents’ concerns, and

empower residents to make informed choices. Ombudsmen work directly

with residents to ensure their safety and care needs are being met. The

agency also provides support to families and educational materials on

long-term care.

Ofce of Aging Services and Disability Support

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

258-3806

Provides information and assistance for individuals age 60 and older or

those with disabilities.

FaCts aBout olDeR/DisaBleD aDult aBuse

• Nationally, there are approximately 500,000 cases of domestic and

institutional abuse of older adults every year.

• In Kentucky, approximately 30,000 reports of adult abuse (including

spouse abuse) are investigated by the Cabinet for Health and Family

Services each year.

• Neglect is the most common form of abuse of older and disabled

adults in domestic settings, followed by physical abuse and nancial

exploitation.

• More than two-thirds of the perpetrators of abuse of older and disabled

adults are family members of the victims.

charges. You do not have to appear since no testimony is taken, but you

may attend if you choose. The judge will appoint a Legal Aid attorney for

the defendant if needed, set a hearing date, and review the bond if the

defendant is still in jail. If the defendant is released, conditions of release

will be determined by the judge.

Hearing: Despite the name, testimony is generally not taken at this stage of

the court process. However, you may be subpoenaed to appear. A victim

advocate will try to contact you before court, or you may contact an advocate

by calling the County Attorney’s Ofce at 254-4941. An advocate will also be

present in court. The defendant may plead guilty. If the defendant pleads

not guilty, there will be additional court dates.

Pretrial: This is a time of investigation and plea bargaining. You may be

subpoenaed to appear. The case is assigned to a judge who will hear it if

it goes to trial.

Trial: This is a formal hearing of the case in front of a judge and/or a jury. All

witnesses testify and evidence, such as photographs or medical records, is

shown. The defendant may or may not testify, and you may be subpoenaed

to appear. The defendant will be found guilty or not guilty, provided the

case is not dismissed.



You are not able to drop charges in Fayette County. Once a charge has

been led by you or the police, it becomes the responsibility of the County

Attorney’s Ofce to prosecute. You can discuss any concerns you have

regarding prosecution and sentencing options with a victim advocate at

254-4941.

emeRGenCy pRoteCtiVe oRDeRs



The purpose of a protective order is future protection. The person the

order is led against, known as the “respondent” in court, will not go to

jail unless the order is broken. The order can help protect you whether or

not you want to remain in the relationship.



You can le for an EPO in your county of residence or in the county to which

you ee to escape the abuse. There is no ling fee nor is an attorney

needed to le a petition.

To be eligible for an EPO, the respondent must have either:

726

aBuse oF olDeR oR DisaBleD aDults

Abuse of older people and people with disabilities is a serious problem that

affects thousands of individuals across the country. It includes physical

abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, nancial exploitation, neglect,

abandonment and self-neglect. The abuser may be a spouse, adult child,

sibling, friend, or caregiver. The abuse may occur in the home or in an

institutional setting, such as a nursing home.





The signs of abuse vary according to the situation and the type of abuse

perpetrated. Following are some of the common symptoms of abuse, neglect

and exploitation:

• Broken bones

• Cuts, burns, or bruises (multiple or patterned)

• Untreated wounds or injuries

• Weight loss or malnutrition

• Dehydration

• Connement or restraint

• Misuse of medication

• Threats of harm

• Abandonment or isolation

• Improper clothing or shelter

• Misuse of assets, credit cards, or personal belongings

• Lack of medical care

• Fear of spouse or caregiver





Report it! KRS 209 requires anyone who knows or suspects that a

vulnerable adult is the victim of abuse, neglect or exploitation to report it

to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (see page 27). If

the person is in immediate danger, you should call the police. If you are

reporting suspected institutional abuse or neglect, you can also call the

Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass (see page 27).

When you make a report, tell the social workers as much as you can about

the situation. They will want to know the victim’s name, age, address, and

the extent of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Give them as much background

information as you can, such as how and when it happened, and the identity

of the perpetrator, if known. Complaints may be reported anonymously.

1) physically injured or assaulted you;

2) sexually abused or assaulted you;

3) threatened to physically injure or assault you; or,

4) done something to place you in fear of injury, abuse, or assault.

Destruction of property alone is not grounds for an EPO, although if the

destruction is coupled with threats to your safety, you may be eligible for

an EPO. A petition may be led by a family member or member of an

unmarried couple seeking relief or by an adult family member or member

of an unmarried couple on behalf of a minor family member.

The relationship between you, as the petitioner, and the respondent

must be:

1) spouse or former spouse

2) unmarried couple, currently or formerly living together, or with a child in

common

3) parent or grandparent

4) child or stepchild

5) a petition may be led against any person living in the same household

as a minor child (under the age of 18) if the child is the alleged victim.



When Where

Monday - Friday Domestic Violence Ofce

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fourth Floor, Ofce D-466

Fayette District Court Building

150 N. Limestone St.

246-2248

Monday - Friday Clerk’s Ofce, Front Lobby

4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Fayette District Court Building

Weekends and Holidays 150 N. Limestone St.

246-2228

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO FILE AN EPO 24 HOURS A DAY,

SEVEN DAYS A WEEK!



1) A clerk will give you a blank petition to ll out. You should describe the

most recent act(s) of abusive or threatening behavior and any history of

such behavior. Describe any injuries in detail and whether or not weapons

were involved. Your statements will be made under oath before a clerk.

If you are in a hospital, nursing home, or are physically unable to come to

8 25

Vine:

ViCtim inFoRmation anD

notiFiCation eVeRyDay

Notication of an Offender’s Release from Jail or Prison:

You can be notied of an offender’s release from a jail or prison, a transfer

to another jail or prison, or an escape by registering with the VINE system.

You will not be notied of work releases or furloughs. The VINE system

covers inmates in all Kentucky jails and prisons. You will be instructed how

to register (free-of-charge) when you call. Once you have been notied

of a release, transfer, or escape you must register again if you want to be

notied of a future release, transfer, or escape.

CALL 1-800-511-1670 (toll free)

Notication when a Protective Order has been served:

Call VINE Protective Order to register to be notied when the respondent

has been served with the protective order so you can take extra safety

precautions if needed. You will also be notied of upcoming court dates,

expiration dates, and any amendments that are led.

CALL 1-800-511-1670 (toll free)

CRime ViCtim Compensation

If you are a victim of a crime who has suffered injuries, you may be eligible

for crime victim compensation. The Crime Victim Compensation Board may

be able to provide nancial assistance if you lost wages, or have medical

bills or other expenses that are a result of the crime.

To nd out if you are eligible for compensation, ask a victim advocate for

assistance or contact the Crime Victim Assistance Program for a claim

form:

Crime Victims Compensation Board

130 Brighton Park Blvd.

Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

(502) 573-2290

the courthouse to le a petition, a sheriff’s deputy is available to come to

you to assist you in ling for your emergency protective order.

2) On the petition you may ask for any of the following:

• no contact - an order to stop the respondent from making any contact

with you including calls, letters, messages, etc. (see page 13);

• no violent contact - an order to stop the respondent from abusing

or threatening you (see page 13);

• vacate - an order for the respondent to vacate the residence you

share;

• no property damage - an order for the respondent not to sell or

destroy any family property;

• custody - an order for temporary child custody;

• other relief or assistance needed to stop the abuse - you have to

be specic. For example, you might ask that child support be addressed

at the hearing, or that the respondent be ordered to a certied batterer

intervention program for a domestic violence assessment (see page 21).

3) A judge will review your petition and decide which, if any, of the requests

will be granted. The clerk will give you a copy of the judge’s decision. If

an EPO is issued, keep a copy of it with you at all times. Once the

respondent is served with a copy of the EPO, it is effective until a court

hearing is held (within 14 days). If the respondent has not been served

with a copy of the order by the court date, you may request that the court

reissue the EPO and a summons for the respondent to appear in court. If

the hearing date is not on your paperwork, call the clerk’s ofce at

246-2248.

The judge may issue a court summons instead of a protective order if he/

she feels there is no immediate danger. If this happens, you will be given

a date for a hearing to decide if a protective order will be issued.



If you are denied an Emergency Protective Order and/or Summons, it is

very important that you speak to an attorney and/or an advocate as soon

as possible to explore your legal options and to put in place a safety plan

for your protection.



If the judge grants you an EPO, the Sheriff’s deputy will immediately try to

serve the respondent with a copy and notice of the hearing. The EPO is

not in effect until the respondent has been served. Call VINE Protective

Order (1-800-511-1670) to register to be notied when the respondent

has been served and of upcoming court dates, expiration dates, and

any amendments that are led. You may need to take extra safety

924

iF you aRe a ViCtim

oF DomestiC ViolenCe:

SEE THAT YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN ARE SAFE!

• Call the police for protection. The abuser may be arrested

without a warrant.

• Ask any of the agencies listed in this booklet for assistance w i t h

safety planning. (See Community Resources, pages 15-20)

• Call the Ofce of the Fayette County Sheriff for safety planning

assistance in your home.

• Ask any of the agencies listed in this booklet for information about:

The Cell Phone Program

(which may be able to provide you with a

cell phone for emergencies)

It is your responsibility to ask about this program

if you are interested.

• Call GreenHouse17 for shelter and information.

• Contact the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to

assist you and your family in obtaining protective and support services.

• Get medical attention, records, and photos of your injuries.

• File a criminal complaint and/or a Petition for a Protective Order.

Language Line Services

1-800-528-5888 (immediate assistance) or

1-877-886-3885

www.languageline.com

Cyracom

1-800-713-4950

www.cyracom.com

Pacic Interpreters

1-800-311-1232

www.pacicinterpreters.com

Accipio Language Services

533-4313 (local)

www.accipioservices.com

Ameri-Lingua Language Services

509-4195 (local)

www.ameri-lingua.com

precautions when the order is served if you think the respondent

might try to harm you after being served with the order.

If the respondent violates one of the conditions of the EPO you must call the

police or return to the court to le a complaint on the violation. This is VERY

important. The EPO will only work if everyone involved takes it seriously.

It is also important that you attend court on the scheduled hearing date for

your case. If the respondent has not been served by the court date, you

still need to appear at the hearing to let the judge know whether or not

protection is still needed. If you fail to appear, the judge may summons

you or take action against you. When you appear in court at the rst

hearing, if the respondent has not been served, you can ask the Judge

for permission to be excused from returning to court until the respondent

has been served. If your request is granted, you will be notied by the

Domestic Violence Clerk’s Ofce when it is time for you to return to court.

It is extremely important that you maintain your current address and phone

number with the Domestic Violence Clerk’s Ofce so that they can contact

you when it is time for you to appear in court. Your contact information will

be protected. It is also important that you stay in touch with the Ofce of the

Fayette County Sheriff at (859) 252-1771 to assist in their efforts to serve

the respondent, and to address any questions you may have regarding

service. If you are represented by an attorney, you should maintain contact

with him/her during this time.



An advocate can help you prepare for the hearing and be available at the

court hearing. One of the victim advocates from the County Attorney’s Ofce

will try to contact you before the hearing date, or you can contact them at

254-4941. Victim advocates are also available in other Lexington agencies.

See the section on Community Resources, pages 15-20, to determine which

agency can best meet your needs. In addition, you can contact Legal Aid

of the Bluegrass (253-8620) to request legal representation through their

Domestic Violence Advocacy Program. If accepted, they will assign a staff

attorney or volunteer attorney to represent you at your domestic violence

hearing free-of-charge or provide you with counsel and advice regarding

your hearing. The Ofce of the Fayette County Sheriff (252-1771) has an

ofcer available to help you with safety planning before or after your hearing.



While it is not required, you may want to consider bringing an attorney

with you to your civil Domestic Violence Order hearing. Having legal

representation can often help to present your case more effectively and

assist you with obtaining the relief you are seeking. It is especially important

to have legal representation if you think the respondent will be represented

National Network to End Violence Against Immigrant Women

www.immigrantwomennetwork.org

OutrageUs

www.outrageus.org

Women’s Law Information

www.WomensLaw.org

Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence

www.workplacesrespond.org

lanGuaGe aCCess

If you have difculty reading, writing, speaking or understanding English, you

have the right to an interpreter in certain situations. All agencies that receive

federal assistance (e.g., hospitals, public benets ofces, many community

agencies) must provide services that are accessible to persons with limited

English prociency. Kentucky courts must also provide interpreters during

court proceedings when needed. You or your victim advocate can notify

agencies of your need for interpretation services. Not providing a timely

interpreter or a translation constitutes national origin discrimination.

If you have questions or feel your rights have been violated, you may

contact the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division at 1-888-

848-5306.



National Domestic Violence Hotline (Multiple Languages Available

for Victims):

1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) and 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Help is available to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline

advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to

provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to

agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Assistance

is available in English and Spanish with access to more than 140 languages

through interpreter services. Services are free.

Telecommunications Device for Hearing/Speech Impaired (TTY or TDD)

Long Distance 1-800-855-2881 and Local 711

Telephone Interpretation:

Telephone interpretation is available in many different languages through a

variety of services. Many agencies utilize telephone interpretation services

to communicate with clients who are not procient in English. For agencies

receiving federal funds, directly or indirectly, there should be no charge to

the client for use of the service.

by an attorney. However, if you are a victim of a crime and the abuser is

being criminally prosecuted, you do not need to hire an attorney to represent

you in criminal court. The County or Commonwealth’s Attorney will handle

the prosecution of the abuser, work with you to address your concerns, and

provide you with victim advocacy services.



If you have visible injuries, you should have photographs taken for use

as evidence in court. Some injuries, such as bruises, might become more

visible one to several days after the incident, in which case you will want

to have them photographed again. You can request that photographs be

taken by the Ofce of the Fayette County Sheriff or the Division of Police.

If you receive medical treatment for your injuries, you may request that your

physician take photographs. If photographs of your injuries exist, always

make sure the court is aware.