Across the United States, domestic violence is a serious problem. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly one out of three women and nearly one out of four men have experienced physical or sexual abuse from their intimate partners.
It’s a problem that can impact any type of family law case, but it can particularly become a problem in divorce cases and child custody cases. Whether the abuse is verbal, emotional, or physically violent, it can be very difficult for victims to deal with.
What Does Domestic Violence Mean?
In California, domestic violence is defined as “any act of violence against an intimate partner, a family member, or someone related to the victim by blood or adoption.” This includes spousal or child abuse. It can also include economic abuse, and it can be psychological, sexual, or emotional.
The Impact of Domestic Violence on Custody
Custody is the decision of where children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent. It’s a highly sensitive and emotionally charged matter that must be handled with care by an experienced family law attorney.
The court wants to make sure that the children are safe and in the best possible conditions. This is why they consider a variety of factors, including the history of violence in the home.
When domestic violence is involved in a custody dispute, the courts must take it seriously and make decisions that are in the best interests of the children. This may mean revoking visitation rights, or changing it so that they’re supervised by a third party.
This can be especially difficult for children, who are usually very affected by their parents’ behavior and the domestic violence they witness. It can be hard for them to trust their parents, and it can cause them to develop negative feelings toward the abuser.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, you need to seek help as soon as possible. You can speak to a counselor or a support group, and you can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
It can be very important to get a protective order as soon as you can. A protective order can prevent you from being physically or emotionally harmed by your abuser and protect your children.
Even if you are not a victim of domestic violence, it’s still very important to seek help for yourself or your children. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 for you and your family to talk to someone about your situation.
There are also resources for families and individuals who have been impacted by domestic violence in their lives, as well as programs for survivors and their children. If you have questions or concerns about domestic violence and the impact it can have on your family, contact a Miami family law and divorce attorney today.
When Abuse is a Fact of Life
Judges in New York are often biased against domestic violence survivors. This is because they see them as suspicious, angry, and distrustful. This is especially true if they hear their accounts of the abuse and see them acting in ways that seem abnormal to others.