Many people think that domestic violence only involves actual physical violence. However, the Justice Department defines domestic violence as “A pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person.” The following are some common signs of an abusive relationship if one party:
-Prevents contact and communication with friends and family
-Controls money and important identification, such as driver’s licenses and passports
-Causes embarrassment with bad names and put-downs
-Critical about survivors appearance and/or behavior
-Attempts to control what partner wears
-Has unrealistic expectations, like partner being available at all times
-Threatens to take away or hurt the children
-Acts like abuse is not a big deal, or denies it’s happening
-Plays mind games to place blame on the survivor
-Destroys property or threatens to kill pets
-Intimidates with guns, knives or other weapons
-Shoves, slaps, chokes, hits or forces sexual acts
-Threatens to commit suicide
(www.joyfulheartfoundation.org)
If you or someone you know who lives in Woodruff County has been the victim of domestic violence there are resources available in your area. You can go to the Woodruff County Circuit Clerk’s office located on the first floor of the Woodruff County Courthouse located at 500 North 3rd Street, Augusta, AR, and fill out a petition for an order of protection.
You can also apply for assistance at Legal Aid of Arkansas by calling 1 (800) 952-9243, Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday evenings 5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Our attorneys assist applicants with orders of protections, divorces, child custody and visitation, and housing among other things.
There are domestic violence shelters in your area which can also assist you with temporary housing. You can also contact your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office to apply for assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as food stamps), Child Care Assistance, Medicaid, ARKids First, Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA), and more.
The shelters and DHS Office in your area are as follows:
Woodruff County Department of Human Services
1200 Highway 33 N
Augusta, AR 72006-0493
Phone: (870) 347-2537
Angels of Grace/Anna’s Place (Forrest City)
406 Pecan Street
Helena, AR 72342
Phone: (870) 338-8447
Hotline: (877) 572-9530
Restoration of Hope
P.O. Box 812
Stuttgart, AR 72160
Phone: (870) 672-4341
Hotline: (870) 672-4341
Toll Free: (866) 884-4637
White River Battered Women’s Shelter
P.O. Box 304
Newport, AR 72112
Hotline: (870) 523-5000
Key words: domestic violence, domestic abuse, resources, help, Woodruff county
