Domestic Violence Advocates Available to Assist with Restraining Orders
Friday, April 03, 2020
The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) today thanked Governor Lamont for yesterday’s Executive Order creating an alternative to affidavits in restraining orders. The Executive Order, coupled with new processes established by the CT Judicial Branch, will allow victims to apply for a restraining order completely electronically without having to go to court. Effective Monday, April 6, 2020, CCADV, CT Safe Connect and advocates at our 18 member organizations will be able to assist victims with completing the restraining order application remotely.
“Victims have expressed concerns about going to courthouses due to this public health emergency, so we are working to be flexible and creative in how we meet their needs,” said Karen Jarmoc, chief executive officer of CCADV. “CT Safe Connect advocates are well-positioned to assist victims with restraining order applications and can provide critical safety planning throughout the process.”
CT Safe Connect advocates can work directly with victims to guide them through the restraining order process, scribe the application on behalf of the victim, and then submit the application electronically to the court. Once a temporary restraining order or notice of hearing is issued by a judge, Safe Connect and the local CCADV member organization advocate will then work to coordinate service of process with a state marshal. Victims will still have the option to complete the process themselves.
CCADV worked with the Judicial Branch to develop this process in response to necessary court closures. Due to COVID-19, the Branch had to reduce the number of open courts to six. While necessary, such closures would potentially result in transportation challenges for victims in need of a restraining order.
Domestic violence victims in need of assistance with a restraining order can contact CT Safe Connect 24 hours per day, 7 days per week via call, chat and email at www.CTSafeConnect.org or (888) 774-2900. Safe Connect is Connecticut’s domestic violence resource hub and offers bilingual, multicultural services to all victims regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, immigration status, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. All services are confidential, safe, free and voluntary.
