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what laws do you have for a person who has lived with you for a year or more and you now need protection from violence from them, or you are afraid they will hurt you or themselves.This person may be an alcoholic or suffers from some sort of mental problem or both.
You have to go by state law, not federal. Federal usually applies when person who does the assault flees the state. Google domestic violence laws for your state, or check this webpage:
http://statelaws.findlaw.com/
If you live in NJ, check this website:
http://www.womanspace.org/get-educated/the-law/stalking-law/
I'm sorry if Carolyn may have problems following the links I've given above; the following is a user-friendlier website, for those to look over laws...
Please go to this link {ignore the name of the state} and just look over the column on the left for the state you live in: