Domestic Abuse

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Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is control of one partner over the other by way of physical, sexual, emotional, financial abuse, threats, and isolation in a dating, live-in, or marital relationship. Domestic violence can also be perpetrated against others of close relationship including children, parents, grandparents, roommates, and other relatives. Domestic abuse knows no gender, racial, age, socioeconomic, religious, or educational barriers: it can affect anyone. The following will provide some general information about what to do if you are the victim of domestic abuse.

If you are the victim of domestic abuse it is important to know that you are not alone and that there are organizations and professionals dedicated to helping you. Domestic abuse is the number one cause of injury for women between the ages of 18 and 44. Every nine seconds a woman is abused in the United States. Ninety five percent of all domestic abuse is perpetrated by a male against their female partner, though domestic abuse can also affect lesbians, heterosexual and homosexual men. Domestic abuse injures two million women each year and kills nearly two thousand. Approximately one quarter of all women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime.

As a survivor of domestic abuse, you may face numerous obstacles when trying to end abuse including psychological and economic entrapment, isolation and lack of social support, religious and cultural values, and much more. Fortunately, these obstacles can be overcome with the right support and community resources. It is crucial to know that you are not at fault for the crimes that have been committed against you. You have the right to live without fear and violence and to escape a harmful domestic abuse situation.

Victims of domestic abuse can develop a safety plan for how to flee abuse and what to do once they have escaped. If you are still in a domestic abuse relationship, it may be helpful to think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs (avoid rooms without exits like the bathroom or rooms with weapons like the kitchen). It may also be helpful to memorize the numbers of people or groups to contact in a situation, to keep change on you, and to establish a code word to use when calling family and friends for help.

If you are in an emergency situation you can call the police. If a safe escape is possible that may be advisable. The National Domestic Violence Hotline supports victims in all fifty states and can help direct you to local services at any point during a domestic abuse situation. A local shelter can safely house the victims of domestic abuse and connect you to the resources you will need to protect yourself and your children. Domestic abuse services can provide: medical services, intervention services, transportation networks, support groups, housing, child care, community services, and more.

Domestic abuse organizations can also connect you with the legal resources you need to ensure your immediate and long term safety. A domestic abuse legal professional can help you get a court order to protect the safety of yourself and your children. They can also provide legal assistance in matters relating to child access and custody rights, property matters, financial support, restraining orders, public assistance benefits, immigration status support, and separation and divorce proceedings.

If you have been the victim of domestic abuse, there are people who want to help you. If you would like to learn more about your legal rights and options regarding domestic abuse, please contact us to speak with a competent and caring attorney near you.