How Do I Get Domestic Violence (DV) Assistance?

The Montgomery County Family Justice Center (FJC) is a comprehensive, one-stop shop for victims of family violence and their children. The Center co-locates multiple agencies to provide coordinated advocacy, law enforcement, civil legal services, and social services for wrap-around support for families.

LOCATION: "Eagle Building": 600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 500, Rockville, Maryland(near Route 355, the intersection of Rockville Pike and Jefferson Street, directly in front of Richard Montgomery High School)

The Family Justice Center is accessible by public transportation, and is located a few blocks from the Rockville Metro Station and the Rockville District and Circuit Courts.

For more information, download the FJC brochure in English or Spanish. The FJC Website also contains detailed Safety Plans for victims.

FJC

Download the Maryland Judiciary Legal Help and Protection for Undocumented Persons Brochure (PDF)
Download the Maryland Judiciary Asistencia Legal y Protección para Indocumentados (PDF)

In an emergency please call 911 

FJC: 240-773-0444
24-hour Sheriff's DV Unit at the FJC: 240-777-7016
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233, TTY: 800-787-3224

Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services 24-Hour Crisis Center: 240-777-4000

Summary of Relief Provided by Court Protective Orders

Protective orders are civil orders issued by a judge that order one person to refrain from committing certain acts against others.

  • Current or former spouse
  • Cohabitant (Sexual relationship & residency requirement)
  • Related by blood, marriage, adoption
  • Parent, stepparent, child, stepchild (residency requirement)
  • Vulnerable adult
  • Child in Common
Type of relief in Final Order
  • Refrain from abuse
  • No contact/harassment
  • Stay away (residence)
  • Stay away (job, school, shelter)
  • Stay away (home or family member)
  • Stay away (child care)
  • Vacate home and temporary use and possession of home
  • Temporary use and possession of home (abuse of child or vulnerable adult)
  • Temporary custody
  • Visitation
  • Emergency family maintenance
  • Temporary use and possession of a vehicle
  • Counseling or DV program
Scope of relief

 

  • For the petitioner or any other eligible person

 

Original jurisdiction

 

  • District Court or Circuit Court

 

Statutory reference
  • FL4-501 et. seq.

Summary of Relief Provided by Court Peace Orders

A Peace Order is a form of legal protection for anyone who is experiencing problems with an individual, including someone in a dating relationship, a neighbor, a stranger, or anyone else. The Peace Order enables an individual who wishes to be left alone to ask the Court for an order for the other person to stay away and refrain from any contact.

A Peace Order allows any person who has been subjected to abuse, harassment, stalking, trespass, malicious destruction of property, misuse of telephone facilities and equipment, misuse of electronic communication or interactive computer service, revenge porn, or visual surveillance to seek relief from the court. Unlike Protective Orders, the nature of the relationship between the parties is not a factor when petitioning the court for a Peace Order. If an individual is entitled to relief in a Protective Order hearing they are not entitled to seek relief under the Peace Order Act.

Type of relief in Final Order
  • Refrain from committing prohibited acts
  • No contact/harassing
  • Stay away (residence)
  • Stay away (job, school, temporary residence)
  • Counseling or mediation
  • Fees and costs (either party)
Scope of relief
  • Only for the petitioner
Original jurisdiction
  • District Court only except for juvenile matters
Statutory reference
  • C.J.P 3-1501 et. seq.
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For more information about Protective and Peace Orders, including forms, visit the Maryland Judiciary Domestic Violence page

Download the Maryland Judiciary Guide to How to File for a Peace and Protective Order (PDF)

Additional Resources

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Agency Address Phone
Abused Persons Program 24-Hour Crisis Services 1301 Piccard Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 240-777-4195 (Service/Intake) or 301-309-3100 (Rockville City Police)
City Victim Advocate Coordinators   240-314-8917 (Rockville)
Domestic Violence and Referral Services & Other State Services   800-634-3577 (800-MDHELPS)
Emergency Evaluation Petitions for Ex-Parte and Peace Orders (Rockville District Court) 27 Courthouse Square, Rockville, MD 20850 301-279-1500
Emergency Evaluation Petitions for Ex-Parte Orders (Circuit Court) 50 Maryland Avenue, 3rd Floor, Rockville MD 20850 301-777-9115
House of Ruth Maryland   24-hour help hotline: 410-889-7884
Interim Orders (Protective Orders, Peace Orders, and Emergency Evaluation Petitions) Rockville District Court (191 E Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850) or Silver Spring District Court (8552 2nd Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910)  
Maryland Courts Information on Peace v Protective Orders    
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Domestic Violence Unit 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850 240-777-7016
People's Law Library of Maryland - Domestic Violence Information    
Safe Starts Kids Group (Program for children who have been exposed to violence in their families)   Abused Persons Program: 240-777-4195Montgomery County Sheriff's Office: 240-777-7016
VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday)   866-634-8463 (1-866-MD4VINE)

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