Domestic violence victims near Nova Southeastern University's College of Dental Medicine are being treated to free dental work and smiles this year. Dozens of victims from Women in Distress of Broward County have been given free dental treatment by students of the university.

Many of these victims lack health insurance and would otherwise be unable to get the repairs, fillings and extractions they need. According to Mary Riedel, president and CEO of Women in Distress, many of these women would have been prevented from even getting their regular checkups by abusers in the past.

Since so many victims of domestic violence in the Fort Lauderdale area were found to be lacking dental care, they were referred to the university in the hopes of getting the medical attention they need. In order to accommodate this request NSU was able to secure a government grant for $850,000 from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. In addition to getting treatment at WID's main shelter in downtown Fort Lauderdale, they have also been seen at the Broward Addiction Recovery Center and The Lodge.

Want to put an end to abuse in your relationship?  Now is the time to contact our legal team and consult with a Los Angeles family law attorney.

Even though there are hundreds of programs available for victims of domestic violence, only a fraction of them meet minimum standards of balance, accuracy and truthfulness, according to Stop Abusive and Violent Environments (SAVE).

They believe that, at most, only one-tenth of agencies devoted to domestic violence are up to par with what they should be. This is in spite of the fact that $76 million goes into public funding programs each year that are designed to tackle these issues. In order to combat these programs that are not meeting national standards SAVE Director Claudia Cornell has created an accreditation program that agencies can utilize.

Cornell believes that one of the biggest reasons why many programs are failing to tackle domestic abuse properly within their communities is that they are giving out false information. The public, including lawmakers, are fed facts that are simply not true and don't help the cause.

If you would like to put an end to domestic abuse in your relationship, now is the time to contact our firm and consult with a Los Angeles family law attorney.

The Connecticut State Task Force on Domestic Violence convened on Monday to discuss the problems caused by domestic violence in their state and how they planned to fix them. There were several speakers to present the issues, including local law enforcement agents.

Included in these presentations were ways in which the state police academy is currently training their officers to deal with domestic violence calls, as well as programs that offenders are forced to go through.

State attorney Kevin Lawlor added that, "the law enforcement community is very limited in what we can do to monitor and regulate the individuals who are out there in the bail bonds business getting serious criminals out of prison." Representative Mae Flexer, as chair of the committee, reported that the group has been able to pass significant legislative actions that have contributed to the reform for domestic violence.

If someone you know has recently become a victim of domestic violence, it is time to contact a Los Angeles family law attorney now to get the protection that person needs and deserves.

Police didn't have to chase down one criminal after he turned himself in on domestic violence charges this Saturday in Salinas. Noah Encallado, 34, turned himself in on a new battery charge. He is now housed at the Monterey County Jail.

The charges arose after his girlfriend told police that he had hit her. She waited four days, however, to report him because he was reportedly watching her every move and threatening to kill her if she spoke out. The couple had been together for two months before he struck her in the mouth and began to threaten her.

Police went to Encallado's home but he wasn't there. He did turn himself in a few days later when he was booked for making terrorist threats and on suspicion of domestic violence. Encallado has already been in jail and was released on a $1 million bond for charges of domestic violence with a different woman.

If you want to put an end to abuse in your relationship, contact our legal team to speak with a Los Angeles family law attorney.

Verizon is embracing the holiday spirit by implementing the HopeLine Program. It will be collecting wireless phones, batteries, and other accessories that are no longer being used by the public. However, not just Verizon phones can be dropped off at any participating store or sent by mail.

The cash proceeds from the HopeLine Program will then be used to provide airtime and phones to victims of domestic violence, as well as cash grants to nonprofit organizations and shelters that provide victims of domestic violence help when they need it.

Verizon launched this program in October 2001 and has collected over 7 million phones since then and given out 90,000 phones with free minutes to DV victims. They have also given out $7.9 million in cash grants to eligible nonprofits and shelters.

You can pick up a HopeLine postage-paid mailing label at any Verizon store to mail their phone in from home.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, contact a Los Angeles family law attorney today to learn more about how the law can protect you.

Matt Barnes, formerly of the Sacramento Kings and currently with the Los Angeles Lakers, was released from all charges this week. After completing their investigation of his case, the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office dropped the domestic violence chargers that had been made against the basketball player. A 911 call on September 8 at Barnes' home in Fair Oaks found him and his fiance, Gloria Govan, showing signs and injuries related to a "physical confrontation," as described by Sergeant Tim Curran.

At that time Barnes was arrested and faced an additional charge of intentional obstruction of telephone use, as he was reportedly preventing Govan from talking to 911 operators. Despite the requested delay that was given to the prosecutorial team to investigate the case further, as well, as to determine how the charges should be filed, a judge dropped the case due to "the insufficiency of evidence".

Barnes, an eight year NBA veteran, will continue to play with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Are you a victim of domestic abuse?  Contact Claery & Green to review your legal options with aLos Angeles family lawyer.

The Jackson Police Department had to arrest one of its own on domestic abuse charges this week in Mississippi. Officer Gregory Williams is alleged to be involved in an altercation with the mother of his children in the 1400 block of Woody Drive. Colendula Green, spokesperson for the JPD, stated that Williams was arrested at 2:30 PM on Monday and, as of now, does not know the reasons for the fight.

Although Williams was brought to the Raymond Detention Center he bonded out later that day. Williams is not taking any questions at this time regarding the domestic dispute.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a domestic dispute, you need to enlist the services of a Los Angeles family law attorney who can help protect you and your loved ones. Family lawyers can use the law to ensure that your loved ones are not hurt again.  To learn more about how an attorney can put an end to domestic violence, contact our law office today.

In West Hollywood, community members are busy promoting Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Earlier this week, council members Lindsey Horvath and Abbe Land introduced and passed a measure that will lead to the development of a Community Response Team that will specialize in domestic abuse.

When interviewed by reporters, Ms. Horvath said, "While there are many reasons offered for the incidents of domestic violence in our recent Public Safety report, we know that there are NO excuses for domestic violence."

Ms. Land said that the new program would create additional awareness about domestic violence both in heterosexual relationships and same-sex relationships.

The team will be comprised of staff members from the city who will work with the National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles.  All participants will bring together various domestic violence agencies to ensure that responses are quick and well coordinated.

Are you in an abusive relationship?  Put an end to the abuse by contacting our law firm and working with a Los Angeles family law attorney.

This week in Riverside, the County's top prosecutor led a walk downtown to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  The walk also marked the launch of a billboard campaign that is meant to raise awareness about domestic abuse and violence.

District Attorney Rod Pacheco said, "Domestic violence leads to tragedies that impact us directly and indirectly."  He then went on to say, "Either way, the pain can be without end."

The walk marks the event's 7^th annual anniversary and is called "Walk a Mile in Their Shoes".  The event was funded by Verizon Wireless and the billboards for the campaign will be posted at five high-traffic locations throughout Riverside County.  Each billboard will provide information on how people can report domestic abuse and where they can go for help. Additionally, the billboards will emphasize that people need to spare children from the consequences of domestic violence.

Back in 2007, more than 7000 domestic assistance calls were received by law enforcement agencies in Riverside County alone.

If you have been the victim of domestic violence, contact us to get representation from a Los Angeles family lawyer.

In Martinez, California, a man from the city of Antioch was sentenced to five years imprisonment for hanging his girlfriend's puppy.

News sources report that 26-year-old Gerald Anthony Ortega Jr. accepted a plea deal and pled no contest to five felony charges.  Ortega had been charged with two counts of inflicting corporal injury and one count of animal cruelty. He was also charged with false imprisonment by force or violence as well as issuing criminal threat.

According to police, Ortega broke into his girlfriend's home on April 27^th and proceeded to hang her Jack Russell terrier an electrical cord.  The next day, Ortega attacked his girlfriend. While speaking with police, the victim said she had been emotionally and physically abused by her boyfriend for numerous years.

If are the victim of domestic violence, do not wait to get help from a Los Angeles family law attorney.  Contact our law office today!

In Moses Lake, Washington, a woman has filed a lawsuit against her former employer.  The employee alleges that the company failed to provide time off so that she could deal with a domestic violence case and ultimately fired her.

According to Attorney Eric Gutierrez of Columbia Legal Services, this is the very first case under the state's 2008 Domestic Violence Leave Act.  The Act requires employers to give employees sufficient time off to attend court hearings and to ensure their family remains safe if they are victims of sexual assault, stalking or domestic violence.

The woman who filed the recent lawsuit filed under the pseudonym "Jane Doe".  Her legal papers were filed on Tuesday in Grant County Superior Court against defendant, Gene Industries, Inc.  The company is based in Redmond but operates a manufacturing facility in Moses Lake.

Are you a domestic violence victim?  If you answered "yes", get reliable legal representation from a Los Angeles family law attorney by contacting our practice now.

Matt Barnes, who is well-known for his competitive nature, was reportedly at arrested for domestic violence against a woman who was living with him.  The Sacramento Bee says that when police arrived at Barnes' residence, the woman and Barnes had injuries.  Officers determined that Barnes was the aggressor and placed him under arrest.

He was later booked with maliciously obstructing the use of a telephone line and faces charges of domestic abuse.

This week, Barnes took to his Twitter account to defend himself.  He said he "was the victim". 

The presence of injuries on the woman as well as Barnes further complicates the issue.  However, a 911 call that was made recorded the struggle and may not help Barnes' defense.  After posting $50,000 bail, Barnes was released from jail.

Recently, Barnes signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, even though the team already has a forward, Ron Artest.

If you have been the victim of domestic violence and would like legal help, contact Claery & Green to discuss your options with a Los Angeles family lawyer.

In a new study, it has been reported that two in five of all victims of domestic violence are in fact none. This study contradicts a widespread impression that only women are victims of domestic abuse in the United States.

In the study, which was put together by the men's rights campaign group Parity, it is asserted that men who are assaulted by their partners are often ignored by law enforcement. The studies numbers show that the number of men who are assaulted by their wives or girlfriends is much higher than most would think. 

Domestic Violence: The Male Perspective says, "Domestic violence is often seen as a female victim/male perpetrator problem, but the evidence demonstrates that this is a false picture."

Some of the data reveals that men made up about 40% of domestic violence victims from 2008 to 2009, which is quite significant. 

Have you been the victim of domestic violence in Los Angeles?  Get the help you need to put an end to the abuse by contacting our law office and speaking with a Los Angeles family law attorney.

Recently in Sacramento, it has been reported that Counties may raise fees on marriage licenses by up to $10. The increase is meant to help fund domestic violence shelters under a new bill that was sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger by the state Senate.

So far, Counties are ready collective $23 fee on all marriage licenses to fund domestic violence shelters.  If the new bill gets approved, county supervisors can increase the fee to $33.  Senator Leland Yee said the increase would offset a drop in state funding that has recently forced four domestic violence shelters to close.  His bill, SB662, was approved on a 21 to 13 vote. Yee is a Democrat from the city of San Francisco.

The Senate also sent the governor a second domestic violence bill, SB782, which would protect victims from retaliation if they are involved in a domestic abuse dispute and it passed with a vote of 22 to 14.

If you have been a victim of domestic violence, get the help you need by contacting a Los Angeles family law attorney today!

If you think domestic violence is not a serious problem in the U.S. - think again.  Domestic abuse is a very serious issue in our country and it adversely impacts the lives of countless people.  Below, our legal team has compiled some statistics to generate awareness:

§   In 2001, the National Domestic Violence Hotline reported that it had received 700,000 calls since 1996.

§  The National Institute of Justice estimates that over 503,000 women are stalked by their intimate partners in the U.S. on an annual basis.

§  A Commonwealth Fund survey showed that 31% of all American women were physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner at some point in their lives.

§  EAP Digest reported that violence is the cause for divorce for 22% of middle-class spouses.

§  The American Medical Association says that domestic violence results in 100,000 days of hospitalization and 30,000 ER visits annually.

If you have been abused by an intimate partner or family member, know that you have legal options.  One of the best things you can do is contact a Los Angeles family lawyer that represents domestic violence victims, like the lawyers at Claery & Green.

The definition of domestic violence in California extends far beyond the most common understanding of a man physically abusing a woman. In California, any of the following actions are considered domestic violence when committed by a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend, person you have a child with, person you live(d) with, or person you are related to through blood or marriage:

- Causing or attempting to cause physical injury
- Sexual assault
- Causing fear that you or another person you know will be physically injured
- Molestation, attack, battery, or stalking
- Threats or harassment, either in person or via phone or email
- Destruction of personal property

Victims of domestic violence can obtain a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO), a civil court order that is signed by a judge. The DVRO serves to keep the abuser at a distance under penalty of law.

 If you are a victim of domestic violence and would like to obtain a DVRO, a Los Angeles family lawyer can help you.  Contact Claery & Green to receive the legal assistance you need for your family law matter.

Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, refers to any act of violence within the context of family or intimate relationships. It occurs when one person causes psychological or physical harm to a current or former intimate partner, and it is the leading cause of injury to women in the US.

A woman is beaten at least every fifteen seconds in the United States, but accurate information on the extent of domestic violence is difficult to obtain because a large portion of abused women do not report their attackers. Domestic violence is not contained by geographic, educational, ethnic, racial, religious, or socioeconomic bounds. It occurs in teenage relationships and same-sex relationships in addition to adult heterosexual relationships.

One in four American women will be physically assaulted or raped by a current or former intimate partner at some point in their life. In fact, women are more likely to be attacked or killed by a male partner than by any other type of assailant. There are an estimated 2 million to 4 million assaults on women by partners in the US annually.

If you are suffering abuse at the hand of your partner, contact a Los Angeles family lawyer at Claery & Green who can help.

The following domestic violence incident involving a television actor sheds light on an important issue: that men can be victims of domestic violence. All too often men are painted as the perpetrated of domestic violence, but the truth is women are just as capable of abusing men as men are of abusing women.

It has been reported that the girlfriend of former CSI star Gary Dourdan has been arrested for an alleged domestic violence incident. Maria Asis del Alamo was taken into custody and charged with one count domestic battery after police responded to a domestic disturbance call and found Dourdan with multiple scratch marks on his body. She was later released on $20,000 bail.

Women and children are not the only victims of domestic violence. Men can also be the target of violence and abuse as well, but unfortunately, many men don’t step for forward to report the crime or seek the help they need.

The Cheshire Police Department in England actually found that the rate of domestic violence committed against men rose 9% between 2008 and 2009, and 36% percent from 2007 to 2009.

Although this statistic is from the UK, it is relevant to Californians because you can be sure there are thousands of men throughout the state who are subjected to violent, abuse, or mistreatment at the hands of their wife, partner, girlfriend, parent, sibling, or some other member of their household.

Victims of domestic violence often consider their situation hopeless. If you or a loved one is being abused by a spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend, parent, sibling, grandchild, or relative, you should know there are ways you can prevent this abuse from continuing to occur. One of the ways you can protect yourself from domestic violence is by filing for a restraining order.

Restraining orders specifically state which actions the abuser is prohibited from taking against the victim. For example, many restraining orders state the abuser is not to contact the victim at work, home, school, church, or any other place they typically frequent, and must remain a certain distance away from the victim at all times. A restraining order also prevents an abuser from making contact with the victim, whether in person, over the phone, through email, online, or via text message.  

Types of Restraining Orders

There are several different types of restraining orders, including:

• Emergency Protective Orders
• Domestic Violence Temporary Restraining Orders
• Criminal Protective Order
• Civil Harassment Order