
Domestic
Violence and Elder Abuse
Abuse Laws
Abused Person's Notice of Rights
You have the right to appear at the Superior, Probate and
Family, District or Boston Municipal Court, if you reside
within the appropriate jurisdiction, and file a complaint
requesting any of the following applicable orders:
a) an order restraining your attacker from abusing you;
b) an order directing your attacker to leave your household,
building or workplace;
c) an order directing your attacker not to contact you or a
child in your custody;
d) an order awarding you custody of a minor child;
e) an order directing your attacker to pay support for you
or any minor child in your custody, if the
attacker has a legal obligation of support; and
f) an order directing your attacker to pay you for losses
suffered as a result of abuse, including medical and moving
expenses, loss of earnings or support, cost for restoring
utilities and replacing locks, reasonable attorney fees and
other out-of-pocket losses for injuries and property damage
sustained;
g) that your current or new address be kept confidential
from the abuser for your safety.
For an emergency on weekends, holidays, or week nights the
police will refer you to a justice of the Superior, Probate
and Family, District, or Boston Municipal Court departments.
You have the right to go to the appropriate district court
or the Boston Municipal Court and seek a criminal complaint
for threats, assault and battery, assault with a deadly
weapon, assault with intent to kill or other related
offenses.
If you are in need of medical treatment, you have the right
to request that an officer present drive you to the nearest
hospital or otherwise assist you in obtaining medical
treatment.
If you believe that police protection is needed for your
physical safety, you have the right to request that the
officer present remain at the scene until you or your
children can leave of until you safety is otherwise ensured.
You may also request that the officer assist you in locating
and taking you to a safe place, including but not limited to
a designated meeting place for a shelter or a family
member's or a friend's residence, or a similar place of
safety.
You may request a copy of the police incident report at no
cost from the police department.
Last updated
11/07/2007
© 2005 Town of Acushnet
Police Department All Rights Reserved
