Fort Bend County is a great place to raise a family. Whether you live in Pearland, Rosenberg, Sugar Land, Fulshear, Missouri City, parts of Katy, or other parts of Fort Bend, you can achieve your goals as a family.
Unfortunately, not every family has the opportunity to thrive in Fort Bend. Domestic violence incidents are far too common in the county. If you have been a victim of domestic violence, please know that you have plenty of good reasons to pursue a Fort Bend County protective order.
Statistics About Domestic Violence in Fort Bend County
You are not alone if you have been victimized by family violence or could become a victim. Consider the following statistics that capture recent trends in our community.
– In the 2020 Fiscal Year, the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office – Family Violence Division received over 2,800 domestic violence related cases from law enforcement for possible prosecution.
– According to the Sheriff’s Office, the Family Violence Unit’s case load total was 4,305 during the 2021 Fiscal Year.
– According to Texas Department of Public Safety data, the rate of family violence incidents in Fort Bend County was 521 incidents per 100,000 resident cases in 2021.
In light of these statistics, stakeholders in Fort Bend County recently put together the Fort Bend County Public Safety Community Plan. The plan acknowledges that “as Fort Bend County’s population continues to grow rapidly, there is a continued strain on the criminal justice system, and specifically in the area of family violence.”
The heightened awareness around domestic violence in Fort Bend County means you should not fear filing for a protective order against your abuser. You have the law and the community on your side.
Why You Should Pursue a Fort Bend County Protective Order
Take a look at these major reasons why you should not hesitate to obtain formal protection.
1. Your Spouse Has Made Direct Threats Against You
Has your spouse made credible threats against you, physically harmed you, or caused severe emotional distress? You have the right to request a protective order in Fort Bend County.
The key is to gather specific evidence about the abuse to validate your claim:
- Dates and times of the abuse.
- Any eyewitness witness accounts of the abuse.
- A police report from responding officers if the police were called.
- Medical records capturing bruises, bites, scratches, or other physical harm.
- Other evidence that can support your claims.
You will want to make note of this evidence when requesting a protective order with the District Attorney’s Office. You can also tap into their Victim Resources to find support specific to your situation.
2. Your Spouse Has Endangered Your Children
Another major reason to request a protective order is when you believe your children are in danger. No matter whether you have children through your current marriage or a previous marriage, it’s important to provide your kids with the protection they need.
Similar to situations when you feel personally threatened, it’s important to gather evidence supporting your claim that your children are in danger.
- Make note of dates, times, and locations of physical, mental, or emotional abuse.
- If the parent is neglecting the children in a harmful way, capture this evidence.
- Gather eyewitness accounts or other forms of third-party evidence (e.g. teachers).
- Record statements from your children detailing their experience.
- Other evidence explaining why your children are at risk.
You will want to include as much credible evidence as possible when requesting formal protection for your children against an abusive spouse.
3. Your Spouse is Acting on a History of Domestic Violence
Individuals with a history of domestic violence can be reformed. However, it can be difficult to live with a spouse who has shown violent tendencies in the past and committed domestic violence against you, even if they have gone through the reformation process.
If you suspect your spouse is returning to their old ways, you have good reason to request a protective order. The key is to be proactive before another incident occurs.
To get out ahead of any potential threat, you should gather evidence about the circumstances surrounding the current situation. This way, you can confidently request protection, even if there has not officially been a repeat incident.
- What is causing you to be concerned that your spouse could become violent again?
- What problems related to the original incident are popping up again?
- Does anyone else in the household feel threatened?
- Has there been a specific incident that has made you believe your spouse could escalate to violence again?
A Family Law Attorney Can Help You Request a Protective Order
We understand that requesting formal protection from your spouse is a big step. That’s why our team of Fort Bend family law attorneys are here to help you determine the best course of action.
- We’ll review your situation.
- We’ll discuss your options.
- We’ll answer your questions.
- We’ll set you on the right path to request a protective order.
- We’ll represent you in a formal court hearing.
Ultimately, we want to provide you with the legal protection you need from your abuser. Our helpful and knowledgeable family law attorneys work right here in Fort Bend County, so we are committed to supporting you.
If you live in the county, please call our Sugar Land office at 281-944-5485 to speak with a helpful attorney. We are prepared to discuss the requirements for a Fort Bend County protective order. You can rely on us for support during this difficult time.