Each year thousands of women, men, and children in Florida are impacted by domestic violence. Throughout October, the office of the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller observes National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During this month, the Clerk is heightening awareness of their services to help protect the individuals affected by domestic violence issues. The Clerk’s office provides critical public services to help those facing domestic violence, including processing domestic violence injunctions, better known as restraining orders, at no cost to the filer. Over the last fiscal year, which ended September 30, 2022, the office received and processed nearly 1,000 injunction applications. An injunction, sometimes called a restraining order, is a court order which tells someone to do or not do something. An Injunction for Protection against Violence is signed by a judge and can be enforced by law enforcement or the courts. In Florida, Injunctions for Protection are governed by Florida Statutes Sections 741.30 and 784.046. The Clerk’s office provides several injunction packets, including domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking. In addition to processing and filing injunctions, the office partners with HOPE Family Services, the Rape Crisis Center provided by Centerstone, and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Victim's Advocate Unit to provide additional services and information to customers in need. Here are the steps to take if you believe you or someone you love is a victim of domestic violence or have a reasonable fear that violence is imminent: If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 for assistance from law enforcement; Visit our office to start the process of filing for an injunction; Call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119 for support, advocacy, and assistance finding a shelter. 

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