You are not alone.
If you are dealing with harassment, stalking or domestic violence, we are here to help you take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family through the legal system. Obtaining a protective order is an important first step. The legal system can be complicated and overwhelming, so we are committed to providing services to help you get what you need to stay safe. We can help with protective orders, attending hearings and appointments, Indiana Hope Cards, and more.
How we help
Call our office at 765-423-1118 or visit us in person at 624 N. 6th St. to learn more about:
- Attorney referrals
- Emotional support during proceedings and appointments
- Help with the process of filing a protective order
- Placing calls on your behalf to counselors, attorneys, the prosecutor’s office, and police
You are not alone. Our legal advocate is here to help you fill out and file a civil protective order. Call 765-807-1208 to set up an appointment. YWCA Greater Lafayette DVIPP is here to keep you safe, including helping you to make a safety plan and working with community partners to obtain additional resources.
First Step: Contact Police
Take action and file a police report.
If you find yourself in a situation of control, intimidation, or financial/emotional/physical harm, and the person threatening you is an intimate partner, someone you have dated, or someone you have been related to in some capacity, you must first file a police report to show you have asked for police assistance.
You may be able to get a stalking protective order if the person harassing or threatening you is someone you briefly dated or someone who has bothered you on three or more instances and you have filed police reports. Stalking covers areas such as telephone calls, text messaging, emails and in-person contacts, Facebook messaging, Twitter, and other social media. In certain circumstances, your children also can be covered by the protective order if you can show a clear threat to their safety.
A Protective Order is a Legal Document
Use your words to send a clear message. Keep in mind what is written in your petition becomes a court record and the person you are filing against will receive a copy. Protective orders can be very effective in sending a clear message to someone that the legal system will step in if they continue to harass or threaten.
A protective order can also:
- Help you get your belongings back.
- Establish a temporary parent time visitation schedule.
- Help in working with a landlord on a safety plan.
- Ensure your employer that you have taken all the necessary steps for your safety.
Indiana Hope Card
The Indiana Hope Card Program allows anyone with a valid, long-term (12 months or more) order of protection for domestic violence, stalking, and/or sexual assault to request a card that summarizes an order’s most important details.
This purpose of this card is to provide law enforcement with critical information in the case of a potential violation of the order.
The Hope Card is a laminated card similar in size and shape to a credit card. The program and card are free of charge to petitioners.
A Hope Card is not a substitute for a protective order. It is simply a more durable and portable means of proving pertinent information about an existing protective order.
If you have a protective order that covers you for one year or longer and would like a Hope Card, please contact Norah Ashcraft at 765-807-1208.
If you need assistance in Spanish, please contact our Hispanic Advocate, Nohemí Lugo, at 765-423-7015.
Si necesita asistencia en español por favor hable con nuestra asesora hispana, Nohemí Lugo, al 765-423-7015.
