Legal Information

Washington, DC

Under DC’s Intrafamily Offense Act, domestic violence can occur between:
    •    Persons related by blood (parent, brother, sister, grand parent)
    •    Legal custody (parent, step parent, step-child, child)
    •    Marriage (spouse, or former spouse)
    •    Having a child in common
    •    Sharing of the same residents (currently or in the past; roommates; in-laws, partner)
    •    Having a romantic dating relationship (currently or in the past; does not have to be sexual)
    •    Ex partner of current partner

If you have experienced domestic violence, you have legal rights.

You may be eligible for Temporary Protective Order (TPO).  TPO does not allow the abuser to continue hurting you, your family or people you love; does not allow the abuser to contact you; and can have abuser removed from home/residence.  
TPO lasts up to 14 days.

After 14 days, you can go to court and ask for Civil Protective Order (CPO).  CPO lasts up to one year, and is renewable. A judge may order:

    •    Abuser not to assault, harass or threaten you
    •    Abuser to stay away from you, your children, family and others
    •    Abuser to leave the home/residence
    •    Give you the children
    •    Abuser to pay child support and/or spousal support
    •    Abuser to go for counseling
    •    Abuser to pay for bills, property damages

A civil Protective Order is not a criminal action. If the abuser breaks TPO/CPO, call the police immediately. A violation of the TPO/CPO is a crime.

If you would like to obtain your free Protective Order, you have to go to the Domestic Violence Intake Center (call 202.561.3000 or 202.879.0152):

• DC Superior Court (500 Indiana Avenue NW Suite 4235, Washington DC) 

• United Medical Center (1328 Southern Ave SE Suite 311, Washington DC)
  

Advocates will do intake evaluations, provides counseling, safety planning, assists victims in drafting pleadings and other documents necessary to get protective orders and free legal representations.  Deaf Abused Women's Network advocates can help you with this process. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further information.