Who Should I Contact in the Case Seeking a Divorce and Domestic Abuse?

Domestic abuse occurs when one person in a marriage tries to dominate and control the other person.  The abuser uses tactics such as fear, guilt, shame and intimidation to wear you down.  In certain instances, this emotional abuse often escalates to physical violence.

 Leaving an abusive husband is a very difficult step to take.  Not only do you have to deal with your marriage ending, but also the threat of how your husband may react to the fact that you are leaving.  Acts of domestic abuse that occur during a marriage can have a substantial impact on custody proceedings.  A finding of domestic abuse can prohibit parties from sharing joint physical custody of their children.  Studies show that children who witness their parents fighting tend to be less well adjusted than children from divorced parents.

Your legal rights will differ from state to state and it’s best to check with a qualified divorce attorney to determine what your rights are.  It’s also a good idea to seek support from family and friends during this difficult time.  You may want to seek information from a crisis intervention and referral phone line for domestic violence.