are family members or are members of the same household, in addition to calling the police you can file for a temporary relief from abuse order at any Vermont family court, 24 hours a day, at no cost. Household members include people who for any time period are living or have lived together, are sharing or have shared a dwelling, are engaged or have engaged in a sexual relationship, or minors who are dating or have dated. The temporary relief from abuse order typically lasts ten days, when a hearing will be held in family court on the issue of abuse. At that hearing, the judge may grant a final order for relief from abuse that usually is good for one year and can be renewed by the court. In relief from abuse orders the court can order many different protections. These may include rights to the household, temporary custody of any children, and sometimes even temporary living expenses. Violation of a relief from abuse order is a crime. There are other criminal law protections available through and enforced by the police. You do not have to choose between family court and the police to get protection from abuse; both the family and district courts can protect you in different ways.
There are also other protections available from the superior court, such as orders against stalking and sexual assault. These protections are available if the person threatening you is not a family member, household member, or someone you’ve lived with in a sexual relationship. Contact a lawyer if you think you need help, or call the statewide sexual violence hotline at 1-800-489-7273 for more information about protection orders and safety planning.
If you are in need of shelter, want help applying for a protection order, or you need other immediate assistance, or if you just need someone to talk to, call the statewide toll-free sexual violence hotline at 1-800- 489-7273.
On Your Own, 2008 Edition
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