How can a victim of domestic abuse protect their children from the abuser?

Domestic abuse can have a devastating effect on the entire family, and it’s especially important for victims to protect their children. In California, there are several steps a victim can take to ensure the safety of their children. First, they should consider filing a restraining order against the abuser. This order legally requires the abuser to stay away from the victim and any children in their care. Victims can file for a Temporary Restraining Order, which lasts for up to twenty days, and then for an Extended Restraining Order which lasts up to five years. Restraining orders can prohibit the abuser from communicating, threatening, or coming near the victim. Second, victims can also seek a custody order to protect their children from the abuser. This order dictates who the primary caretaker of the child(ren) can be, and can limit the abuser’s access to them. To get a custody order, victims should visit their local family court. Finally, victims should create a safety plan to protect themselves and their children. This should include details of who they can contact in an emergency, where they can go if they need to escape, and any steps they can take to keep their abuser away. Domestic abuse is a difficult situation to navigate, but victims can take several steps to ensure the safety of their children. By filing a restraining order, seeking a custody order, and creating a safety plan, victims in California can protect their children from an abusive partner.

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