In today’s world, domestic violence is very common. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence compiled data from various sources, including the U.S Department of Justice and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, which has reported the following:
- 30% to 60% of perpetrators of domestic partner violence also abuse children in the household.
- Almost 1/3 of female homicide victims are killed by a domestic partner.
- One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
- Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.
- An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by a domestic partner each year.
If you, or someone you know, is in a violent relationship, please call the police and ask for help. No one should have to suffer from abuse of any form. When you call the police for help, you will be able to file a police report that will help you later in court.
As a result of the brutal impact that abuse renders on families and children, courts take charges of domestic violence very seriously. During a divorce procedure, if there is history of abuse in the household, the judge’s rulings on custody and visitation is highly impacted. All judges have to decide what option is the best for all of the children involved.
I am frequently asked what happens during a domestic violence hearing. The first thing to take place is the judge looking over all of the evidence; this is where your police reports come in handy. If there is sufficient evidence that you are reasonably concerned that violence will continue, the judge will most likely issue a protective order in favor of the victim. A protective order protects the victim from the abuser and the abuser is to have no contact with the victim of any kind. If the couple has children, the judge usually awards the victim full custody of the children. Certain safeguards then can be implemented to adequately protect the child/children during visitation. These safeguards can include appointing a supervisor.
Dreyer Law offers legal services for family law, criminal law, and personal injury. If you, or someone you know, is going through a domestic violence situation, please call our office for help. We offer free consultation and are here to help you in your time of need.