In support of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the State College-based Dads’ Resource Center has introduced an educational video series that discusses protection from abuse (PFA) orders, featuring interviews with a sheriff, district judge, attorney and community counselor.
In Centre County alone, there are approximately 250 temporary PFA orders granted each year, and 1 in 5 orders are found to have been violated. In support of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and to provide additional support to those who are served with PFA orders, the Dads’ Resource Center has developed the series of informational videos to promote understanding and compliance.
The four informational videos, set in interview style, include:
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Centre County Sheriff Bryan Sampsel talks about what to expect if you are served with a protection from abuse order.
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Magisterial District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker discusses the process of being served with a PFA order and how to prepare for, and what to expect at, an initial hearing before a judge.
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Attorney Stephanie Cooper gives the perspective of PFAs from an attorney who practices criminal law, and legal resources available to successfully follow a PFA.
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Brian Coval from Crossroad Counseling, Inc. talks about the benefits of counseling and outlines community resources available to those affected by PFA orders.
‘PFAs are important interventions that keep people safe,” said Jeff Steiner, executive director of Dads’ Resource Center. “It is in everyone’s best interest if we can provide more support for those who are under the order of a PFA and help them make good choices to ensure the safety of everyone who is involved.’
While the videos mainly address the viewpoint of those individuals being served a PFA order, the series offers valuable information for those seeking, or considering, protection orders.
“PFA orders affect both parties and the Sheriff’s Department is concerned with both,” Sampsel said. “We need those being served to take the PFA very seriously and to follow it to the letter, because the courts show no leniency for order violation. We hope the videos will help them stay out of trouble, because once the PFA is violated, it often starts a snowball effect from there.
“We also want those being protected by the PFA to remain safe at all times. We all need to do what we can to reduce domestic violence incidents.”
The video production class at Bellefonte Area School District helped with the PFA series by shooting and producing the videos.
Watch the videos here.
