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Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling behavior that may include physical, sexual, economic, emotional, and psychological abuse of one family member or intimate partner by another.
The goal of domestic violence is to establish and maintain power and control. It affects individuals of all races, genders, and income levels in communities large and small.
Learn more about the effects of domestic violence, how children are affected by violence in their homes, and what you can do to help someone who may be in an abusive relationship.
If you think you may be in an abusive relationship, these tools can help improve your safety:
Flex Accordion
The Flex Accordion is capable of producing a rich and vibrant sound, making it suitable for a variety of musical styles, such as folk, polka, tango, zydeco, and even some contemporary genres.
Are you in an abusive relationship?
Does your partner ever...
- Make you account for your time?
- Easily get angry or have frequent mood swings?
- Pressure you for sex or become angry if you don't comply with sexual requests?
- Isolate you from family or friends?
- Overly criticize you or your personal traits?
- Strike or threaten to strike you with his or her hands, feet, or object?
- Been violent toward children?
- Caused an injury to you that required medical attention?
- Destroyed your property or threatened to kill your pet?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship. Call our crisis hotline or come to Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety for help.
How can you file a Protection Order?
If you have experienced domestic violence, we highly encourage you to consider obtaining a protection order.
A Protection Order is a document issued by a court and signed by a judge to help protect you from harassment or abuse. In an Order of Protection, a judge can set limits on your partner's behavior. Among other things, a judge can:
- Order your partner to stop abusing you and your children
- Tell your partner to leave and stay away from your home, your workplace and your family
- Direct your partner to have no contact with you—including no phone calls, letters, emails or messages through other people
- Order your partner to stay away from the children, their babysitter, day care or school
Although a protection order is not a guarantee that abusive behavior will stop, protection orders have been proven to be relatively effective in domestic violence situations. There is no fee to get a Protection Order and they can be granted for up to 5 years.
South Dakota has two types of protection order forms:
For each type of protection order, you must complete the following:
- Petitioner Information Form (UJS-090B)
- Respondent Information Form (UJS-090C)
- Petition Form (UJS-091A)
We know these forms can be very confusing and overwhelming. If you would like assistance in completing these forms, come to Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety or call us at 605-338-4880 for help.
Otherwise, download our checklist to ensure you have completed the Protection Order forms as accurately as possible.
If you’re in a situation where leaving may not be possible or you’re not ready to leave, thinking about safety for yourself and others in your home is essential. Creating a safety plan can help you manage risks and prepare for emergencies. Each safety plan should include safe places you could go if you decide to leave, and trusted people who can support you when you’re ready.
Download a sample safety plan to get started.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence,
there is a way out.
We can help.
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