Domestic Violence -- What to Do If Things Get Dangerous in Your Tuscaloosa Apartment
It can pop up out of nowhere. You're curled up in your Tuscaloosa apartment studying for that math test, when all heck breaks loose next door. There's yelling, thumping, and something that sounds like a glass breaking.
Unfortunately, it only takes a few seconds for even the safest Tuscaloosa apartment complex to turn dangerous because of domestic violence. Your gut reaction may be to jump in and help, but that's not a good idea.
Instead, if you think that there's domestic violence occurring near your unit, here are 4 tips that can help you deal with it:
1. Call the police
If it sounds like that nearby argument has turned into more than just screaming and yelling, call 911. The police are trained for situations like these. You aren't, so if you're genuinely concerned for someone's safety, let the pros handle it.
If you're afraid that the neighbors will know you called the police, don't be. You're not required to give your name when you dial 911.
2. Talk to apartment management
While the staff at your apartment complex won't be able to stop a dangerous incident that's in progress, they do need to know what's going on. The abuser can be evicted if he has broken the terms of his lease, or apartment management might want to approach the person being abused to see if there's anything they can do to help -- like changing the locks if the abuser still has a key.
It's also possible that other neighbors have heard these disturbing incidents and reported them to management. This is a situation where the more people who report it, the better. With several tenants coming forward with what they've seen and heard, apartment management has more of an ability to try and stop it.
3. Ask to spread the word
While you're talking to your apartment management, ask if they would be willing to put up flyers with phone numbers to domestic violence hotlines on them. A simple flyer next to the mailbox or near the gym may show a domestic violence victim that she has options for help.
Or, ask your apartment management to leave a flyer on every tenant's doorstep with these phone numbers. Either way, if the abuser knows that people around the complex are keeping a watchful eye and ear out, it might scare him enough to stop.
4. Jot down some notes
If you've tried all of these tips and the abuse still seems to be occurring, keep track of what you hear and when. That way, if the victim ever decides to press charges, or if apartment management chooses to evict the abuser, you'll have powerful witness information that can back up their claims.
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