Getting the Police Involved

What will the police do?

The police should respond to and investigate all complaints of wife assault.

The police may talk to you and your partner separately and get a written statement from each of you. The police will seriously consider arresting your partner if:

• it is likely that he will continue the assault on you, or
• there are other reasons for arrest such as when your partner has assaulted you with a weapon or injured you.

The police officer should tell you what help is available in your community. If he or she should forget to do so, make sure you ask.

The police may charge your partner with assault.

The police may request an emergency protection order. The order will likely request that your partner leave the premises and stay away from you.

Police Involvement - Continued: What is an assault charge? Will the police always lay assault charges? Can you withdraw charges after they are laid? What type of sentence will the offender get?

July 2003

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