Together, we stand for your voice, your safety and your future. Together, Hattiesburg stands for you.
The City of Hattiesburg is home to the Domestic Violence Court program, funded by a grant through the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Office Against Interpersonal Violence. This program brings several agencies to the table - Municipal Court, Forrest County District Attorney's Office, the Hattiesburg Police Department's Criminal Investigations and Victim Advocate Units and the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter - to provide victims/families with financial, health, counseling and other services needed to recover from the trauma of a domestic violence experience. The court program also includes a dedicated prosecutor and domestic violence coordinator, to provide offenders with services and accountability.
WE STAND FOR YOUR...
The Hattiesburg Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit consists of detectives who are trained and well-educated in areas involving intimate relationship violence. Additionally, this unit work directly with the department’s victim advocates in ensuring that victims are safe from harm, and also conducts follow-up interviews with victims, acquires supplementary evidence (photographs, medical reports, etc.), communicates with judges in preparing arrest warrants and indemnifies that all reported cases are completed before being forwarded for prosecution to the county’s district attorney’s office.
The City of Hattiesburg's Domestic Violence Court program, funded by a grant through the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Office Against Interpersonal Violence, operates a dedicated court docket, with a prosecutor and domestic violence coordinator, to provide offenders with services and accountability. Working at both the misdemeanor (Municipal Court) and felony (Forrest County District Attorney) level, this program aims to provide very specific and targeted interventions to batterers. It also supports a focus on recovery, safety and security for victims through partnering agencies.
Local services like those from the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, Inc., are here for you.
If you are stuck in the pattern of abuse, you may not know what to do for you and your family. We can help you get out of an abusive situation and establish a foundation to build a better future.
HOW TO HELP SOMEONE YOU KNOW
REASONS WHY PEOPLE
STAY IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS
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They may not recognize that their partner's behaviors are unhealthy or abusive.
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They may fear the consequence if they decide to elave.
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They may feel that they've done something wrong or that they deserve the abuse.
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They may be financially dependent on their abusive partner.
THE FIVE TYPES OF ABUSE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
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Physical abuse - use of force that results in bodily injury, pain or impairment
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Emotional abuse - may include aggression, intimidation, manipulation and humiliation
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Sexual abuse - non consensual use of force through sexual interaction
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Financial abuse - controlling access to economic resources
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Digital abuse - using technology to bully, harass, stalk or intimidate
HOW TO SUPPORT A FRIEND EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
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Acknowledge the situation as difficult and scary - and how brave they are to regain control.
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Empower them to make their own decisions.
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Help them create a safety plan, or encourage them to call 1-800-649-1092 to get help.
If you are in a relationship where domestic violence is taking place, our advocates are here 24/7 to offer support.
For anonymous, confidential help (24/7), please call:
1-800-649-1092
WDAM Feature
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This project is supported by Federal Award No. 15JOVW-21-GG-00531-STOP awarded by the state administering office for the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice’s STOP Formula Grant Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the state or the U.S. Department of Justice.
Relationship abuse is more common than people know. If you are in a relationship where domestic violence is taking place, our advocates are here 24/7 to offer support.
For anonymous, confidential help (24/7), please call:
1-800-649-1092