The past week brought forth a rainstorm of local news articles with a disturbing common thread. We read about the bodies of young women pulled from both the Mississippi River and a Chisago Lake swamp, with the women’s surviving significant others being major suspects, and a young woman in the midst of a stormy relationship suddenly going missing. These articles were only the beginning, as many other recent news articles brought forth stories underpinned with hints of violent or abusive relationships. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty, of course, but these articles nonetheless bring home the point that domestic violence is a real and major threat, as highlighted in this Minneapolis Star-Tribune editorial. Further, domestic violence concerns not only young women but people of all ages and both genders as well.
In Ramsey County, instructions on how to seek an Order for Protection can be found here, and helpful related contact information here. We at the Law Library are always happy to help our patrons locate these and other resources that might be useful.
Breaking free from an abuser is obviously a difficult task, not to mention a risky and frightening one. Adding to this struggle are the administrative and financial woes that have to be resolved as part of breaking free. This is where the National Consumer Law Center publication, Consumer Rights for Domestic Violence Survivors (2006) can be helpful. This book addresses the nuts and bolts that must be addressed by domestic abuse survivors, such as the best ways to deal with joint debts, handling tax issues, and obtaining crime victim compensation funds. It is available for check-out at our Library.
