Domestic Violence Workers

Home Domestic Violence Advocates

Domestic Violence Advocates

Considering any type of order should always be done in the context of thorough and individualized safety planning.

 

Extreme Risk Protection Orders can be a safety planning tool for advocates working with survivors of domestic violence who are worried about their safety due to their abuser having access to a firearm. Survivors can also consider having guns removed from their abuser through a 209A Restraining Order. Court based advocates can help survivors consider their options and decide what plan is best.

How you can help/ steps to take

Advocates can educate survivors about the availability of an ERPO. 

 

  1. Assess how an ERPO might help the survivor feel safer, or whether that might further anger the abuser, making the survivor feel less safe
  2. Walk your client through the process of filing an ERPO
  3. Bring up concerns to a law enforcement officer

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Data/Stats

  • From 2003-2012, 33.2% of all domestic violence-related homicides were from firearms (janedoe.org)
  • Each year, 600 women in America are shot and killed by an intimate partner, and millions of women have been non fatally shot or threatened with a gun by an intimate partner. When an abuser has access to a gun, a domestic violence victim is five times more likely to be killed. (Giffords Law Center Facts About Gun Violence PDF)

Resources

Find out more on our Resources Page.

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