Domestic Violence, Abuse and Stalking

For as far back as history goes, there has been domestic violence between humans. Tensions build, and often elevates into physical abuse.

Battered women are found in every city of this country, every walk of life, and in every social scale. During the separation, one person may stalk the other relentlessly. The woman can literally be in fear of her life.

On May 6, 1997, law enforcement was given another tool to help women who are abused or stalked. A computerized feature was added to the police computers nationwide. Across our country, women have sought help from the courts by what is called a 'Protective Order". Protective Orders are well intended, but many times, law enforcement officers did not know that a Protective Order existed on an abusive husband, or boyfriend. Thanks to computer technology, that has now changed.

A Judge, who now issues a Protective Order, can have the Order placed on the National Law Enforcement Computer Network (NCIC). It can be entered as a "Temporary Protective Order" meaning it will expire in 45 days (or less), or, the Order can be entered into the NCIC as a "Permanent Protective Order" which is never removed from the computer database.

You might say, that the long arm of the law has just gotten longer. An abusive husband, or boyfriend, who stalks, or harasses, the spouse, even in another state at 2 a.m., may end up in jail a lot faster. When he or she is stopped, the name is "ran" through the NCIC, and if found to be violating a Protective Order, he or she will probably be headed straight to jail.

The Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center Police Department maintains, and operates, an NCIC System.

 REMEMBER! AS A VICTIM, YOU HAVE RIGHTS.

• You have the right to request that charges be pressed against your assailant;
• You have the right to request protection from any harm or threat of harm or threat of harm arising out of your cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts as far as facilities are available and to be provided with information on the level of protection available.
• You have the right to be informed of financial assistance and other social services available as a result of being a victim, including information on how to apply for the assistance and services;
• If you are a victim of rape or forcible sodomy you also have the right to a free medical examination for the procurement of evidence to aid in the prosecution of your assailant; and,
• If you are a victim of domestic abuse you have the right to file a petition for a protective order or, when the domestic abuse occurs when the court is not open for business, to request an emergency temporary protective order.

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THESE RIGHTS, CONTACT THE OU HSC POLICE DEPARTMENT @ 271-4300, OR THE 24-HOUR INFORMATION HOTLINE @ 1-800-522-7233.

Last Updated::100302