Domestic violence is, unfortunately, a common issue in Pennsylvania. The law aims to protect victims of domestic abuse, but if you aren't aware of how to seek out that protection, it's not much help to you. If you are in a domestic or intimate relationship with another person and you feel threatened or have already experienced abuse, you should take action. 

At the LLF Law Firm, our attorneys can help you file for a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order. We can assist you with the entire process, including the final PFA hearing, and help you seek safety for yourself or your children. Call our Family Law Team today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our form for more information. 

Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown Re-Releases Her Memoir About Domestic Abuse 

Melanie Brown, known as Mel B when she was a member of the Spice Girls, is re-releasing her memoir Brutally Honest in March 2024. She originally published it in 2018, one year after ending a 10-year marriage with her ex-husband and movie producer Stephen Belafonte. The couple divorced after Brown alleged abuse multiple times, which Belafonte denied. She wrote the book to help herself make sense of what happened during their marriage, but also to encourage other people who are in similar situations with their partners. 

The book's re-release comes with three new chapters, which presumably describe what's happened in the six years since it was first published. Brown stressed that staying in an abusive relationship isn't easy, but neither is leaving one. She's hoping that she can show other survivors that the journey out of an abusive relationship is difficult but worth it. The book serves as a sort of guide for victims of domestic violence as well. 

Getting Protection From Domestic Violence in Pennsylvania 

If you file for a PFA in Pennsylvania and the judge grants it, you can receive immediate protection from your abuser. Then, there is typically a hearing 10 days later to determine if the PFA should become final. Filling out a PFA form can be a bit confusing, as you're asked for a great deal of detailed information. Once you succeed at getting the PFA, then you have to attend the hearing and build a case to defend yourself. You'll have to submit evidence to the court and prepare a statement or argument to present at the hearing. 

Taking care of the administrative requirements of a PFA can be extremely daunting—especially when you're trying to keep yourself or your children out of harm's way. Your top concern is your safety. At the LLF Law Firm, our Family Law Team can handle gathering documents and organizing evidence for you. We can also represent you at the hearing, so you don't have to worry about standing up and making a statement in the presence of your abuser. With one of our Pennsylvania Family Lawyers on your side, your chances of getting long-term protection are higher than going it alone. 

Call the LLF Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our contact form with your information, and a member of our team will reach out to you.