Domestic Violence/abuse: How to File a Police Report

This article gives a brief definition of "Domestic Violence/Abuse" and explains how and why you should file a Police report if you are a victim of Domestic Violence/Abuse.

Definition of Domestic Violence/Abuse

Domestic violence is abusive behavior by one or both parties who are or have been in an intimate, cohabitant, dating, friends, and marriage or have a child in common. When there is abuse of any type, physical, emotional, intimidation, financial depriving and sexual abuse or psychological abuse, this fits the criteria of Domestic Violence/Abuse.

How to file the Police report

If you are in any danger or being abused, call 9-1-1. Calling 9-1-1 during a domestic violence act will send the Police to your location right away to help you. A report will be made at the scene.

You are a victim where you live if the abuse in taking place in your home so contact the local Police department in your area to file a report.

If an attack occurred in another city then you need to contact the local Police station of that city's jurisdiction to file the report.

If you are a victim of assault/battery by an ex-spouse, spouse, boy friend, dating partner or you have a child in common with a person and it is after the fact, you can call your local Police department where you live and find out what reporting options are available to you.

You may be able to file the report on-line, over the phone or in person by going to the Police station. Some Police departments may send a Patrol car to your location to take a report.

It is better that you go in person to the Police station so you can provide the Police with all the necessary first hand information needed for the report. The Police will want to take photos of any visible injuries.

What you need to file the report

You will need proper identification to start the report. Provide the Police with a complete story of how the abuse happened.

The Police will need to know what type of relationship you have with the abuser, how long and if there have been any prior abuse reports.

Provide the Police with all the necessary information on the abuser such as his or her full name, date of birth, contact phone number, work address and any other information the Police could use to complete a thorough investigation.

Why file a report

You are filing a domestic violence/abuse report for several reasons. First, you are a victim who never needs to go through any kind of abuse by anyone, especially someone who claims to love you. There is no love in an abusive relationship, only the need to control.

You need protection, and filing a Police report will protect you from any further abuse.

The suspect needs to be brought to justice where a court of law can meet out a just punishment, order the abuser to anger management classes and get them onto a road of recovery so they will not abuse anyone again.

Conclusion

Filing this Police report is a very detailed process and many, Officers, Detectives, people and organizations are there for your support and help.

Once you have filed a report, make sure, that you always get your Police report case number and either a receipt that you filed a report or an actual copy of the report for your records.

Article also posted on Triond by Scott Hallock