"Isolation at home is giving power and control to the abuser. Domestic abuse isn't always physical: abuse can also be emotional, sexual, financial or technological." - Abigale M Stolfe, Esq.
TOMS RIVER, NJ, May 25, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The pandemic is affecting those members of our community who suffer silently at the hands of their abuser, the same person who may remain in the home for 24 hours during a voluntary or involuntary quarantine. With the ending of the shelter-in-place rules, local domestic violence experts see an increase in calls that couldn't happen while people were isolated at home with children and just trying to get through the shelter-at-home orders.
New Weekly FB Live Series on Domestic Violence
Sonya Zeigler, Esq., and Abigale Stolfe, Esq., co-founders of Stolfe Zeigler New Jersey Divorce Group, are offering a free Facebook Live series on Domestic Violence launching Monday, May 25 at 11:30 am on their Facebook Page @SZFamilyLawFirm. The 1st program topic is Domestic Violence: How to Protect Yourself With a Restraining Order. The videos will be available for replay on the page after the live program. Anyone with questions about domestic abuse can submit them confidentially through the page's Messenger option.
Domestic abuse is increasing worldwide, says the NY Times, including locally in New Jersey. Abigale Stolfe explained:
"Isolation at home is giving power and control to the abuser. Domestic abuse isn't always physical: abuse can also be emotional, sexual, financial or technological. If you are a victim of abuse, it's important that you reach out now - there are resources that can help you. Information is power - our Facebook Live series on domestic violence will provide options for victims of abuse and people who suspect friends or family members are being abused."
Watch: Stolfe Zeigler Family Law Firm Takes Domestic Violence Seriously
Stolfe Zeigler family law firm takes domestic violence very seriously. If you are in a situation that is not safe you need to seek help right away. Call the police, leave the home or take steps to get away from the situation. Our job as family law attorneys is to help you be as safe as possible, by whatever steps you choose to take: we can help you file a Restraining Order or Civil Restraint, which are legal documents setting the parameters for everyone's behavior, and the outcome if someone violates the order.
Throughout the home quarantine, New Jersey courts have NOT closed. Access to help has remained open, and victim's access to the police has stayed open. Victims of abuse do not have to suffer silently during home quarantine:
• You can still obtain a temporary restraining order to require your abuser to leave the home.
• You still have access to judges who will do their best to protect you, especially in this time of need.
In a recent interview Middletown, NJ Deputy Police Chief Paul Bailey said,
"Before the stay-at-home orders, many of the domestic violence calls were at night or during the midnight shift. Now, we're seeing an increase in calls and we're seeing them at all times of the day."
If you are in an abusive situation and need help:
- Please call your local police to ask for an order of protection.
- You can seek temporary housing through 180 Turning Lives Around, 888-843-9262, www.180nj.org or Providence House, 732-244-8259, www.providencehouse.org.
Neither organization requires an order of protection to assist you.
Victims of abuse should consult a family law attorney to discuss their next options for a final resolution of abuse they do not deserve.
Protecting What Matters Most to Our Clients
Stolfe Zeigler New Jersey Divorce Group is a divorce and family law firm serving South Jersey. Founding partners Abigale M. Stolfe and Sonya K. Zeigler are skilled divorce and family law attorneys in South Jersey and are well-equipped to help individuals navigate the complex family legal system of divorce, child custody, and property distribution. The legal team at Stolfe Zeigler is committed to securing a bright future for the clients and families they serve, through guided insight and zealous advocacy, and fighting to protect what they've worked so hard to earn.
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