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Attorney Edward Alkalay writes a regular column for the Conway Daily Sun newspaper entitled "The Legal Corner." His articles address a wide variety of timely legal issues. Click on the titles below to review his past articles.
 

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The Legal Corner: The Legal Corner: Resources for victims of domestic abuse

This article is the second in a three-part series about domestic abuse. In my first article, I wrote about the warning signs of mental, emotional and physical domestic abuse. (For anyone who missed my previous article about the warning signs of domestic abuse, feel free to email me at my below-listed email address, and I will send you that article.) Once you have acknowledged that you or someone you know may be a victim of domestic abuse, the next question is what to do about it. There are a number of steps that you can take to receive help. This may include simply talking to a friend about your concerns or may necessitate seeking emergency help. In this article, I will list a number of resources to consider when seeking help. In addition to your own personal contacts, there are local, state, and national organizations specifically dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence. While I will list telephone numbers and email addresses of some of these organizations, you should be aware that an abuser can discover your internet activities in the home. Oftentimes, the safest way to research information on the Internet is at a local library or a friend\'s house. The following are just some of the available resources.
911 - In an emergency, where you are physically assaulted or threatened, you should immediately call 911 to seek law enforcement protection and/or medical attention. Physical violence should never be accepted.
Starting Point, www.startingpointnh.org/, 24-Hour Support Line 800-336-3795 – Starting Point provides services for victims of domestic violence in Carroll County. According to its mission statement, Starting Point is “dedicated to removing the root causes of family and sexual violence from our communities.” Its objectives are “to intervene in crises by providing advocacy, support and shelter to victims of violence; and to work towards breaking the cycle of violence in forthcoming generations through community outreach and education.”
New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, http://www.nhcadsv.org, 1-866-644-3574 - The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is a statewide network of programs committed to ending domestic violence. Its mission statement states that the organization seeks “to ensure that quality services are provided to victims/survivors of domestic and sexual violence; prevent future violence by educating the public; influence public policy; and encourage the provision of services for perpetrators.”
Other State Resources – There are many other state resources that will likely fit the needs of anyone who is a victim or knows a victim of domestic violence. A website that lists a wide variety of state resources can be found at http://www.aardvarc.org/dv/states/nhdv.shtml.
The Department of Justice – In addition to local and state organizations, there are many excellent national organizations that provide important resources for victims of domestic violence. There is a long list of national organizations at the Department of Justice’s website at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/dv.htm.
You should be aware that talking to someone about your concerns does not require you to commit to any course of action. You may be confused about what to do or even whether you are a victim. While the above-listed resources are dedicated to helping victims of domestic abuse and are completely confidential, you should not hesitate to speak to a friend, your doctor, a therapist, or a family member about your concerns if that is more comfortable for you. Once you have acknowledged that you may be a victim of domestic abuse, the most important step is to open a dialogue with someone who can help.

Edward D. Alkalay is a partner at Alkalay & Smillie PLLC and can be reached at (603)447-8994 or ed@northconwaylawyers.com. (This article conveys general information and should not be relied on for legal advice without further research and/or consultation with an attorney.)

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