This global pandemic requiring everyone to quarantine and stay at home is no “staycation” for the average family. People have lost their jobs and incomes due to their employer shutting down while other “essential workers” cannot keep their jobs due to having children at home with no childcare option. Even more, Indiana schools required children to finish out the academic year remotely via “e-learning”, which relies heavily on parents to basically teach the lessons to their children and help with assignments. This by itself is overly stressful for any parent-child relationship. All of this combined with the entire family unit spending 24/7 together cooped up in their home creates additional stressors and many new stressors families don’t know how to handle. These trying times are exacerbated when a member of the household suffers from mental illness or substance abuse issues.
According to a Report from April 29, 2020, reports of child abuse or neglect in Indiana were down nearly 50% since schools closed and everyone was ordered to stay-at-home. Calls to the CPS (Child Protective Services) Hotline for child abuse or neglect dropped from 4,367 on March 8 to 2,271 on March 22 per the Report. This is not to say the abuse isn’t happening. More likely, the abuse is continuing to happen but these at-risk children are kept at home with no exposure to their teachers, doctors, coaches, mentors, family members, or other adults who would otherwise report any suspected abuse to authorities immediately.
Domestic violence among spouses and partners is on the rise during these chaotic times. However, an adult victim is not as powerless as a minor child to seek help. Hopefully, victims of all ages are able to call 911. Adults are also able to file for Protective Orders online now instead of going to the Court in-person, which will ideally motivate and empower more victims to seek help when they can’t escape from their abusers.
All of the Protective Order documents and step-by-step instructions are available here on the State of Indiana’s website. When filing for a Protective Order, not only can you request no contact from the other person, you can also request an eviction order that grants you sole possession of your house, you can request your vehicle, pets, parenting time orders, child support, spousal support, for your bills to be paid, medical expenses, counseling costs, attorney’s fees, and any other costs related to filing for the Protective Order.
Attorney Allison Wheeler has a decade of experience representing individuals in Protective Order cases. Contact Wheeler Law Firm today to schedule a consultation to discuss your Protective Order case.
Other Resources:
Below is a list of centers in Indianapolis equipped to help victims of domestic violence.
Prevail
1100 S. 9th Street, Suite 100
Noblesville, IN 46060
Phone: (317) 776-3472
Web: www.prevailinc.com
Domestic Violence Network
9245 N. Meridian Street, Suite 235
Indianapolis, IN 46260
Phone: (317) 872-1086
Web: www.dvnconnect.org
Families First
615 N. Alabama Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 327-2480
Web: www.familiesfirstindiana.org
Julian Center
2011 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: (317) 920-9320
Web: www.juliancenter.org
Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault
9245 N. Meridian Street, Suite 227
Indianapolis, IN 46260
Phone: (317) 624-2370
Web: www.indianacesa.org
Salvation Army Ruth Lilly Women & Children’s Shelter
540 N. Alabama Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 637-5551
Web: www.centralusa.salvationarmy.org/indiana/women-and-childrens-center/
Coburn Place Safe Haven
604 E. 38th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Phone: (317) 923-5750
Web: www.coburnplace.org
Beacon of Hope Crisis Center
6920 S. East Street, Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46227
Phone: (317) 731-6140
Web: www.beaconofhopeindy.org
Sheltering Wings
PO Box 92
Danville, IN 46122
Phone: (317) 745-1496
Web: www.shelteringwings.org
Desert Rose Foundation
PO Box 1754
Martinsville, IN 46151
Phone: (765) 342-7673
Web: www.desertrose.cc