What constitutes Family Violence?

• Intentionally and knowingly causing bodily injury or threatening to cause bodily injury to another member of your family or household, including your spouse.
• Causing physical contact with another, a member of your family, or your spouse, when it is reasonable to believe that the other person will find that contact offensive or provocative in nature.

What you can do to prevent Family Violence?

• Leave the house/area and cool off.  Stay with a friend if necessary.
• Contact the police before the situation is out of hand.
• Seek assistance through Denton County Friends of the Family or other local family counseling resources before Family Violence occurs.

What are the consequences of committing Family Violence?

• Arrest, Prosecution, Jail and/or Prison
• Divorce
• Debt incurred during legal process
• Loss of family relationships

Prevent Family Violence Before It Occurs

Each year, this offense affects countless Denton County families with sometimes devastating consequences.  Please think before you act.  There are resources available to help you and your family cope with the stresses that can lead to these offenses; help us all prevent the pain and scars that Family Violence leaves behind.

Friends of the Family, 24-Hour Crisis Line 1-800-572-4031 or 940-382-7273 (Emergency)
http://www.dcfof.org

Other Resources

• Family Violence Shelter & Services-Friends of the Family / 800-572-4031
• Legal Hotline / 800-777-FAIR
• Family Violence Legal Advice Line / 800-374-HOPE
• National Domestic Violence Hotline / 1-800-799-SAFE
• Child Abuse Hotline / 1-800-4 A Child
• Protective Orders/Denton County District Attorney / 940-565-8556
• Mental Health-Mental Retardation Hotline / 800-762-0157