Woman Jumped Out Of Window To Avoid Attacker In Stafford: Police

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A woman jumped out of a window in Stafford County on Monday to avoid an assault, authorities said.

The victim suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office.

The woman's romantic partner, 31-year-old Justin Hunter, was arrested on Monday. He is charged with assault and battery, felonious assault, and abduction. He was held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

The assault occurred around 6 p.m. on Monday at the Arbor Grove apartments. Multiple callers dialed 911 after they heard a woman screaming for help, the police report said.

"When [a deputy] arrived, he was approached by the victim who had visible injuries," the sheriff's office wrote in a report. "She advised she had just jumped out of a window to escape her romantic partner."

The woman's partner, who was later identified as Hunter, was still in her apartment, police said. Deputies went to the apartment and spoke with Hunter. The deputies claimed that he was intoxicated.

"After conversing with both parties, witnesses, and collecting the evidence present, it was determined a verbal argument led to an assault," the sheriff's office said. "To avoid further assault, the victim was able to jump out of the window."

Hunter was taken into custody without further incident. The sheriff's office is using this incident to warn people about the dangers of abusive relationships.

"Abusive relationships are a difficult topic for many to deal with," the sheriff's office said. "That being said, you are not alone."

Empower House offers many resources for victims of abuse in the Stafford and Fredericksburg area. More information is available online or by calling 540-373-9373.

There are a number of resources available to victims of domestic abuse in Virginia. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be found at 1-800-799-7233. Virginia's family violence hotline can be reached at 1-800-838-8238.