About Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence is the leading cause of injury and death to American women. It is estimated the 50 percent of all homeless women and children are fleeing domestic violence.

Children under the age of 12 reside in 43 percent of households in which domestic violence is reported. Violence in the home is a major factor contributing to the growth of reports of child abuse and neglect.

What do I do if I have been battered?

If you have experienced an incident of abuse by your partner, the most important fact to keep in mind is that help exists. Ventura County has resources for domestic violence victims including crisis lines and shelters. Therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself with the following information if you believe that you may be in an abusive relationship, or even if you believe there is the slightest possibility.

The first thing that an abuse victim should do is contact the police. Do not try to take matters into your own hands or try to resolve the problem within the family. Law enforcement will make sure you are safe from any more violence by removing the abuser from the home, issuing an emergency protective order (lasting five days) and enforcing any protective orders to make sure that the abuser does not intimidate or harass you.

Ventura County has two battered women shelter programs to assist you with temporary shelter, crisis lines, counseling, support groups. If you need to leave the house immediately, call the shelter in your area of assistance. The locations are confidential, and you will be kept safe. If you are in an abusive relationship and need advice, the crisis lines are available 24 hours a day. Their phone numbers are at the end of this section.

If you decide that living with abuse is no longer an acceptable way of life for you and your children, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Crime Victims' Assistance Program can assist you in obtaining a restraining order. There is no fee for this service, nor does the County Clerk’s Office charge a filing fee for domestic violence restraining orders.

Assistance available through the Crime Victims' Assistance Program:

Restraining order assistance is offered at no charge in domestic violence matters.

A new addition to the Crime Victims' Assistance Program is The Family Violence Prevention Center. The purpose of the center is to reduce domestic violence and improve the lives of domestic violence victims.

What if the abuser has been arrested?

If your abuser has been arrested and the District Attorney has filed a criminal case, in an effort to make the criminal justice system more understandable, accessible and personable, we have made the following services available to you:

• Criminal Case Information

Confusing as the criminal justice system may be, we provide victims with the opportunity to find out exactly what stage the case may be at with a full explanation as to what that may mean to you. Confusion and lack of insight into the workings of the justice system is possibly the most significant barrier individuals encounter when finding themselves thrown into the system. We believe that providing victims with case status updates and orientation significantly reduces the stress and fear one commonly experiences in being faced with the criminal justice system.

• Counseling Services

It is very likely that you may need the assistance of a therapist to work through your victimization. Counselors are available, at no charge, for you to be able to speak with about your victimization at the District Attorney’s Crime Victim Assistance Program.

• Monetary Compensation

If you have incurred any out-of-pocket medical expenses as a result of your victimization, our office can assist you in applying for compensation through the Victim of Crime Compensation Program. The program provides monetary assistance to victims of violent crime, such as spousal battery, for medical expenses and therapy expenses, among others. For more information on this program, click here. (link to VOC page)

Local Police Agencies:

Local Women’s Shelters:

Interface Children and Family Services: (800) 339-9597
Hearing Impaired Number: (805) 983-2803

· Shelter for women and children
· Counseling for victims, batterers and children
· Support groups for women
· Bilingual services for victims
· Referral services

The Coalition to End Family Violence: (24 hours): (805) 656-1111

Spanish Hotline: (800) 300-2181

· Shelter for women and children
· Counseling for victims, batterers and children
· Support groups for women
· Referral services