Supporting Survivors: The Clerk’s Role in Domestic Violence Intake

Domestic Violence (DV) is any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another who is or was residing in the same single dwelling unit. An assault does not have to be physical violence. An assault can occur if someone intentionally threatens to cause you physical violence, even if they do not touch you.

My office plays a vital role in helping survivors navigate the judicial process where we offer  support to all who seek our assistance. The DV Unit ensures that the parties in these difficult cases  obtain the information needed to secure protection and receive access to resources they need during  one of the most challenging times of their lives. Our DV Clerks are responsible for managing the  intake of petitions for protective orders (injunctions), ensuring that all legal documents are  accurately filed and processed. They also coordinate court hearings, issue temporary protective  orders, and maintain confidential case records. These crucial administrative tasks provide the  foundation for the legal process, ensuring that timely hearings and protection is received.

However, it is the dedicated professionals within the DV Unit who make the real difference. These  “angels” offer much more than just administrative support — they are committed specialists who  work with highest professional standard that offer encouragement and practical guidance to meet  the changing needs of the community being served. With compassion and patience, they assist the  survivors navigate the complex legal system, explaining procedures and ensuring that the parties  in these cases understand their rights…

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