Domestic violence affects thousands of women, children, and men in East Tennessee each year. There are four main types of abuse in domestic violence situations: physical, emotional, economic, and sexual abuse. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize this and as a result, do not seek help. Domestic violence is often more than an isolated incident. It is a recurring cycle of violence that often increases in severity over time. Domestic violence does not “simply just go away.” To help better understand domestic violence, here are some examples of abuse:
Physical Abuse:
Emotional Abuse:
Sexual Abuse:
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. If you are not in immediate danger, but are planning to leave an abusive home or are not sure what you should do, call the SafeSpace Hotline at: 1-800-244-5968. We can help!
Your abuser may be monitoring your Web activities. If your abuser has access to this computer, you may want to consider moving to a secure computer. Remember, you and your family’s safety is the most important thing. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, get help now. Call 911. If you are not in immediate danger, but are planning to leave an abusive home or are not sure what you should do, call the SafeSpace Hotline at:
At SafeSpace, we don't tell you whether or not you should leave your home. Only you can make the decision that best fits your circumstances. But if you have made the decision to leave, it is important that you understand how to keep you and your family safe. Please click below to learn more about safety planning and injunctions for protection.
If you witness abuse or know that someone you love is being abused it is difficult to know what to do. Your instinct may be to “save” them from the relationship, but it’s not that easy. After all, there are many reasons why people stay in abusive relationships, and leaving can be a very dangerous time for a victim.
Abuse is about power and control so one of the most important ways you can help a person in an abusive relationship is to consider how you might empower them to make their own decisions. Additionally, you can offer support in various ways:
What you can do:
What you SHOULD NOT do:
You've been abused or threatened with abuse. What can you do?
First, call the police. Second, if necessary, get medical attention.
You can also protect yourself from future violent acts by obtaining an Order of Protection, which if
granted, restricts the abuser from:
An Order of Protection can be granted even if you have never called the police or pressed charges against your abuser. You only have to prove that you have reason to fear your partner and that fear is based on some serious threat or past violence. Keep your Order with you at all times! If your abuser violates the Order, he/she can be arrested.
Additionally, this is an especially dangerous time because you have taken an action that lessens the abuser’s sense of control.
What is an Order of Protection?
An Order of Protection is a civil legal document given by the court which helps protect you from physical violence, threats, destruction of property, being held hostage, being put in fear of bodily harm, or stalking. Once granted, and Order of Protection is valid for 1 year.
What is an Ex Parte Order?
An Ex Parte Order is a temporary order of protection intended to give you immediate protection for the period of time between the issuance of the Ex Parte Order and the hearing date for the final Order of Protection, usually approximately 2 weeks. Once your abuser has been served with the Ex Parte Order or has knowledge of the Ex Parte Order he/she can be arrested for violating it. During this time, call the police immediately if your abuser attempts to contact you, make a police report, and contact SafeSpace to help you with the next steps. You should keep a certified copy of this order with you at all times.
Does my batterer have to be served in person?
Your batterer must be served in person and has the right to be present at the hearing to agree or disagree with the allegations stated in the Petition for your Order of Protection. It is important to have a good home or work address on your batterer so that he/she can be served in person.
How do I get an Order of Protection?
You must go the General Sessions Court Clerk’s office or the Circuit Court Clerk’s office in the county where the abuse occurred or the county where your abuser lives or the county in which you live if your abuser lives in another state and ask for a petition for an Order of Protection. The clerk's office is mandated by law to assist you in filling out the petition. A magistrate or a judge will then have to sign the Ex Parte Order which must then go back to be filed with the clerk’s office. The clerk’s office will give you two certified copies of the order. A certified copy must be taken to the Sheriff’s Department so that your batterer can be served.
A copy should be filed with the Sheriff’s Department in the county in which you live and one filed in the county in which your batterer lives. A SafeSpace advocate can assist you through this process if you cannot or do not want to attempt to get this Order on your own.
Will I Have to go to court?
Yes! When you file for your Order of Protection you will receive a court date for approximately two weeks away. You must attend your court date to obtain your Order. Have witnesses or other proof of abuse with you at court. You should have an advocate and/or an attorney with you at court. Contact SafeSpace to see about having an advocate and/or attorney present with you.
What do I do if my abuser violates the Order?
Call the police and tell them about the Order of Protection and try to have a copy ready to show them. Make a report. The police can arrest your abuser without a warrant if they find probable cause that the Order has been violated. You also have a right to file a violation in the court that granted your Order. A violation tells the judge that the Order has been violated. You will be given a court date in which you will need to bring proof that the Order was broken. If the judge decides the Order of Protection was violated, your abuser can be ordered to serve jail time, pay fines, and you may be entitled to have your Order of Protection extended to a Five-Year Order.
Do I have to come into the shelter in order to receive services?
No. SafeSpace offers extensive outreach services that include counseling, support groups, court advocacy, and other services for victims of domestic violence.
What is it like to live at SafeSpace?
SafeSpace provides safety and support to survivors of domestic violence and their families. Depending on the size of families, residents may share a room. Residents all share a living room, children’s play room, kitchen and bathrooms. Residents live communally as everyone is involved in meal selections, preparation, and daily chores. They are free to leave shelter as needed to tend to personal matters.
Do you shelter men?
Yes, we shelter all victims of domestic violence regardless of gender or gender identification.
What is it like to come to support group?
Victims and survivors of domestic violence find the informal atmosphere of support group to be very comfortable. Every one in attendance has common problems shared by all victims and survivors of domestic violence. You may not feel like talking right away but you can come and listen to what others say and feel. Everything discussed in group is confidential and our group facilitator has a great deal of knowledge and experience that will help you get tremendous benefits from attending.
Is there any cost for the services offered by SafeSpace?
No, every service we offer including shelter is confidential and free of charge for victims of domestic violence.
Does SafeSpace offer domestic violence education for the community?
Yes. SafeSpace offers extensive training opportunities for a variety of audiences including community organizations, government, schools, professions, business, and churches. For more information about domestic violence education provided by SafeSpace, call (865) 453-9254.
How can I support the work of SafeSpace?
There are two main ways to support SafeSpace: by donating your time as a volunteer and by donating your resources. Click HERE to go to the "Help Us" information page and read about Volunteering and Donations. We appreciate your desire to help.
