What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is abuse or threats of abuse when the person being abused and the abuser are or have been in an intimate relationship (married or domestic partners, are dating or used to date, live or lived together, or have a child together). It is also when the abused person and the abusive person are closely related by blood or by marriage.

The domestic violence laws say “abuse” is:

• Physically hurting or trying to hurt someone, intentionally or recklessly
• Sexual assault
• Making someone reasonably afraid that they or someone else are about to be seriously hurt (like threats or promises to harm someone)
• Behavior like harassing, stalking, threatening, or hitting someone; disturbing someone’s peace; or destroying someone’s personal property.

If you believe you have been physically or sexually assaulted, you should report the assault to the police department as soon as possible by responding to the police department or calling (415-897-1122). If you are receiving medical attention for the assault, you should report the assault to medical staff or the police department as soon as possible.

A sexual or domestic violence assault by a person who is known to the victim, including by the spouse of the victim, is a crime.

Strangulation

Strangulation may cause internal injuries. Someone who has been strangled is encouraged to seek medical attention.

Emergency Protective Orders

An officer may obtain an emergency protective order (EPO) from a judge, protecting the victim and his/her children and restraining the abuser or person who was arrested. An EPO orders one person to stay away from another person. An EPO is a temporary order to allow the victim time (5 to 7 days) to obtain a more permanent restraining order. EPOs are requested by the investigating officer who believes there is an immediate and present danger of domestic violence, to the victim, by the abuser. Obtaining a Copy of the Police Report The Novato Police Department, at no cost, will provide one copy of a domestic violence report face sheet to the victim.

To obtain a copy of your police report, contact the Novato Police Department Records Section at 415-897-4361 or in person, Monday through Thursday, 8 AM - 5 PM at 909 Machin Avenue, Novato.

How to Apply for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order

You may apply to the Marin County Superior Court for an order restraining the abuser from all contact with you, your children, and other family members; from living in the residence; and to stay away from you, your home your vehicle, your place of employment, and the children's school and/or place of child care. The order may include custody or visitation orders, child custody payments, and court-ordered counseling participation. All forms are available from the Civil Clerk's Office, or you may download the forms from the Marin County Court website. There is no charge for Domestic Violence Restraining Order forms. 

For legal help, please contact:

• Legal Self Help Services: (415) 444-7130
  • Civic Center, Hall of Justice, Room C27, San Rafael, CA
• Family and Children's Law Center: (415) 492-9230
  • 30 North San Pedro Road, Suite 245, San Rafael, CA
• Legal Aid Society of Marin County: (415) 492-0230
  • 30 N. San Pedro Road, Suite 220, San Rafael, CA

Arrests

The Novato Police Department is committed to deterring, preventing, and reducing domestic violence through vigorous enforcement and to address domestic violence as a serious crime against society.

Officers will make every effort to arrest and jail those abusers who they believe have committed domestic violence or violated a court restraining order, regardless of whether the crime was committed in the officer’s presence. The victim may ask the district attorney to file a criminal complaint. The offender may be released from jail custody at any time. Victims of domestic violence should consider registering for jail release alerts from VineLink. Notifications may not always be provided prior to an offender’s release. 

Shelters

For further information about emergency shelters and resources, go to www.domesticshelters.org and enter your zip code. The website will list contact information for shelters. You may want to consider staying in a shelter far from home as you may feel safer and would be harder to find.

Resources and Crisis Counseling

Center for Domestic Peace leads a comprehensive community effort to end the #1 violent crime in Marin County: domestic violence. Center for Domestic Peace provides services and programs that protect and enhance victim safety.

24-hour hotlines: English (415-924-6616) and Spanish (415- 924-3456)

Marin Youth Services Text Line: 415-526-2557 (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5 pm) 

Marin Suicide Prevention provides crisis intervention, community counseling, and referral to resources by a trained crisis counselor.

24-hour hotline: 1-855-587-6373 

Community Violence Solutions is the umbrella organization for the Rape Crisis Center of Contra Costa and Marin Counties. Community Violence Solutions provides support services to child and adult victims of sexual assault and their families.

24-hour hotline: 1-800-670-7273 

Marin County Resources Guide provides on-line information on a variety of agencies and organizations providing services to Marin residents. 

The Safe at Home Program provides victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault and human trafficking (effective January 1, 2018), a way to thwart abusers from finding them at home, at work and at school. Safe at Home participants are assigned a substitute mailing address. This address is accepted by California state, county and city government agencies in lieu of a residential or other mailing address where the victim can be personally tracked down, keeping the residence address confidential and out of the hands of their abusers.

Phone: 1-877-322-5227 

Counseling for Abusers

Center for Domestic Peace

• For male abusers: 415-924-1070
• For female abusers: 415- 526-2557

Victim Assistance and Compensation

County of Marin Victim-Witness Assistance Program: Marin County Victim Advocates can assist with understanding the criminal justice process and victim’s rights and compensation. 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 130 San Rafael (415) 473-5080

The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) can help pay bills and expenses that result from violent crime. Victims of crime who have been injured or have been threatened with injury may be eligible for help.

CalVCB Helpline: 1-800-777-9229

Victims have the right to file a civil suit for losses suffered as a result of the abuse, including medical expenses, loss of earning, and other expenses for injuries sustained and damage to property, and any other related expenses incurred by the victim or any agency that shelters the victim.