Other than a criminal prosecution for a domestic violence crime, how can survivors use the court system to protect their safety and to hold abusers accountable? In this presentation, Kate Cherney, J.D., will explain how the State Courts evaluate “domestic abuse” to qualify for a domestic abuse protection order (DAPO) as compared to the Court’s more comprehensive understanding of domestic intimate partner abuse (DIPA) when determining child custody under the Nebraska Parenting Act. Additionally, Ms. Cherney will discuss less commonly used civil lawsuits available to sue abusers for money damages, including for assault and battery, human trafficking, and unauthorized disclosure of intimate images.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn how a survivor qualifies for a domestic abuse protection order and what protections are available when a protection order is granted;
• Participants will learn how the court considers domestic intimate partner abuse in child custody cases and safeguards available to survivors through court-ordered parenting plans;
• Participants will recognize other forms of abuse for which a survivor may be able to sue for damages.