From the most exclusive neighborhood in Belleair or Palm Harbor to the average apartment complex in Largo or Clearwater, domestic violence is a reality throughout the Tampa Bay area. It doesn’t matter if you are female or male, married or single, young or elderly. Domestic violence does not discriminate against your ethnic background, sexual orientation, or occupation. Domestic violence often occurs in marriages, but it doesn’t end there. Domestic violence is also possible between parents and children, friends and acquaintances, and extended family members.

The victims of domestic violence and battery are in an especially difficult situation. Often they love their abuser. Even if they don’t, leaving may not seem like a viable option. Assuming the domestic violence victim wants to get away from the abuser, there is always a fear that the abuser will hurt others in the household, intensify the abuse, or even resort to murder as a way to prevent the victim from escaping.

Thankfully, the problems of domestic violence, domestic battery, and domestic abuse have earned serious attention from local authorities and the media. Across the Tampa Bay area, there are many organizations willing to help the victims of domestic violence and their children. Many family law attorneys—including the Florida family law attorneys at Tinny, Meyer & Piccarreto, P.A.—are also trained to assist the victims of domestic violence.

The first step to ending the cycle of domestic violence is recognizing the warning signs. Common red flags of domestic violence and domestic battery include:

As you can see from the above list, domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse and battery. Domestic violence may be emotional, sexual, economic, or physical. Sometimes the abuser will engage in more than one form of domestic violence against the victim or victims.

If you are the victim of domestic violence, a Florida domestic violence attorney can help you in many respects. In addition to providing legal advice, a domestic violence lawyer from Tinny, Meyer & Piccarreto, P.A., may also speak with you about:

Anyone in the midst of a domestic violence or domestic battery situation should not go through it alone. Our Florida domestic violence attorneys are here for you when you need someone to talk to and someone to defend your rights.

It’s important to understand that most forms of domestic violence are a crime in the Tampa Bay area. Physical assault and sexual assault are certainly illegal, and the police are authorized to protect you from physical harm. If you are the victim of domestic violence, or if you suspect that domestic violence is occurring in your community, call 911 and report it. If you are afraid of calling the police, please contact one of the many domestic violence victim organizations in the Tampa Bay area for help. If nothing else, confide in a trusted friend or family member so that you can receive the help you need and deserve.

You may also contact the offices of Tinny, Meyer & Piccarreto, P.A., about your domestic violence situation so that we may assist you in getting the help you need. From our offices in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and New Port Richey, we are here to represent domestic violence victims in Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, and throughout the Tampa Bay area. Please call us at (727) 446-8600 to find out more.