You Are Not Trapped

We have all heard the pleas from our political leaders, our actors and athletes, our schools, our neighbors, even our favorite local businesses: Stay Home and Stay Safe. Unfortunately, for victims of family violence, home may not be the safest place. Being stuck home with an abuser increases the risk for all kinds of abuse, including physical, emotional, health/medical, economic and isolation. Combine this with the confusion of having courts closed, and victims can feel trapped.

Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence wants all victims of domestic violence to know that they can get help during this time of uncertainty, that that they can still get protective orders, and that we are here for them.

• Our Hotline WILL NOT close. It is available 24/7/365. Please make sure to share this number with anyone that can use it: 1-800-927-4673. Victims can also contact our hotline through our Website and from our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Accounts.
• We can provide Emergency Shelter for victims, their children and pets is available. (Call the Hotline)
• You can still get a protective order, and we can help you remotely. Attached to this note are directions for obtaining protection orders during quarantine.
• MSCFV Case Managers are still available to help clients through the phone and email —reach out to your case manager just to check in. If you don't know their number, call 410­690-3222 during business hours.
• Our legal team is still working on our clients' cases even while the courts are closed. If you have new legal challenges, reach out to your case manager.
• Other services are available on a case by case basis through case managers, so call them.

If you are experiencing domestic violence and want help, we are here. You are not alone. Please call our hotline at 1-800-927-4673.

About the Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence

With the goal of helping victims end the violence in their lives, since 1980, the Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence (MSCFV) has been the central point of access for assistance on domestic violence within the counties of Maryland's Middle Eastern Shore. As of July 1,2019, MSCFV will be providing these same high-quality, comprehensive, client-driven services in St. Mary's County. MSCFV programs span from crisis-focused hotline, legal services, and emergency shelter to counseling, education, economic empowerment programs and longer-term transitional housing. To contact our Family Violence Hotline, call 1-800-927-4673. To learn more about Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence, contact (410) 690-3222 or visit www.mscfv.org.

What to do if you are experiencing domestic violence during the quarantine

Step 1: Get Out of Immediate Danger

If you are in an immediate life-threatening situation: CALL 9-1-1. When the police arrive, have them call us at 1-800-927-4673.

Step 2: Contact Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence (MSCFV)

Our Hotline Advocates are available 24/7/365 at 1-800-927-4673. If it is not safe to call, you can message us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We have Emergency Shelter available and we will partner you with an MSCFV Case Manager who will connect you with other resources.

Step 3: Get a Protective Order — We will help you

To get a protective order you need to complete a Petition for Protective Order (CC-DC-DV-001). After you call our hotline you will be partnered with a case manager who will offer assistance toward your plan to seek a protective order.

During this time of quarantine, you need to go to the District Court Commissioner's Office in the County where the abuse took place to receive the Petition for Protective Order.

When you get the Petition paperwork, you will not be allowed to stay in the courthouse to complete the forms.

• Find a safe location (your vehicle, a bench, a Church, ...)
• If you have not contacted our hotline, call us now at 1-800-927-4673
• If you have already contacted our hotline, call your MSCFV Case Manager. They can help you fill out the paperwork over the phone. If you don't know their number, call us at 1-410-690-3222 and the advocate answering the phone will get a message to the appropriate Case Manager.

STEP 4: Contact MSCFV again

You are not alone. Once you complete and submit the Petition for Protective Order, call your MSCFV Case Manager. They will help you make and work through a plan to leave the violence and create a life in which you can take care of yourself and your family, violence-free. We are here to help you through your entire journey.

Please don't be discouraged if you don't get what you want or need right away. The closures are confusing for everyone. We can help walk them through the process. We are here for you, even if it is only through the phone.

HOTLINE: 1-800-927-HOPE (4673)

QUE HACER SI USTED ESTA EXPERIMENTANDO VIOLENCIA DOMESTICA DURANTE LA CUARENTENA

Paso 1: Salir del peligro inmediato

Si se encuentra en una situacion inmediata que pone en peligro su vida: LLAME al 9-1-1 1. Cuando llegue la policia, pidales que nos Ilamen al 1-800-927-4673

Paso 2: Comuniquese con Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence (MSCFV)

Nuestros defensores que atienden la linea de emergencia estan disponibles 24/7/365 al 1-800¬927-4673. Si no es seguro llamar, puede enviarnos un mensaje a traves de Facebook, Twitter e Instagram. Tenemos refugio de emergencia disponible y lo asociaremos con un administrador de casos de MSCFV que lo conectara con otros recursos

Paso 3: Obtener una orden de proteccion - Le ayudaremos

Para obtener una orden de proteccion es necesario completar una Peticion de Orden de Proteccion (CC-DC-DV-001). Despues de llamar a nuestra linea directa, se le asociard con un administrador de caso que le ofrecera asistencia para su plan para buscar una orden de protecci6n.

Durante este tiempo de cuarentena, debe it a la Oficina del Comisionado del Tribunal de Distrito en el Condado donde ocurrio el abuso para recibir la Peticion de Orden de ProtecciOn.

Cuando reciba el Formato de la Peticion, no se le permitira permanecer en el tribunal para completar los formularios.

• Encuentre un Lugar seguro (su vehiculo, un banco, una Iglesia, ...)
• Si no se ha puesto en contacto con nuestra linea directa, Ilamenos ahora al 1-800-927-4673
• Si ya se ha puesto en contacto con nuestra linea directa, Ilame a su administrador de caso de MSCFV. Pueden ayudarle a llenar la documentaci6n por telefono. Si no conoce su n6mero, llamenos al 1-410-690-3222 y el defensor que contests el telefono tomara un mensaje y se lo enviara al administrador de caso correspondiente.

PASO 4: Pongase en contacto de nuevo con el MSCFV

No estas solo. Una vez que complete y envie la Petici6n de Orden de Proteccion, flame a su administrador de caso del MSCFV. Ellos le ayudaran a hacer y a trabajar a traves de un plan para dejar la violencia y crear una vida en la que usted puede cuidar de si mismo y de su familia, libre de violencia. Estamos aqui para ayudarle durante todo su viaje.

Por favor, no se desanime si no obtiene lo que desea o lo que necesita de inmediato. Los cierres son confusos para todos. Podemos ayudar a guiarlos a naves del proceso. Estamos aqui para usted, incluso si es solo a traves del telefono.

Para obtener mss informacion, visita www.mscfv.orgo visita nuestra pagina de Facebook.