If you or your children are victims of domestic violence, it is important to recognize that it is not your fault, it is not ok, and you are not alone. While domestic violence can take many different forms, some aspects are crystal clear: physical violence, threats of physical violence, and sexual assaults.
Domestic violence can also include, for example, stalking, threatening self-harm in order to control your actions, or destroying your property in order to control your actions. It is sometimes emotionally difficult to take appropriate steps to stop domestic violence through the courts or the police because it may involve someone you love or who is the father or mother to your child. If you believe you or your child are suffering from domestic violence, it is important that you understand that you have a number of options. If this is the challenging situation you find yourself in, an experienced Chicago domestic violence attorney can help.
As mentioned, domestic violence can take wide-ranging forms (some of which may surprise you). Consider the following:
Leaving an abusive partner or spouse is not as easy as it may seem to those outside of the relationship, especially when children are involved. Fear, intimidation, or threats may be used to prevent you from protecting yourself or exercising your rights. If you need help, the law is on your side and can offer you relief before, during, and after a divorce, including:
It’s important to note that these protections are also available to unmarried parents or partners, and parents may request orders of protection on behalf of their children.
An order of protection can order a number of different things, such as, prohibiting contact (direct and indirect), prohibiting the abuser from going to your place of employment, or preventing the abuser from sending distinct types of communications to your family and friends. If you are living with the person abusing you, an order of protection will get the abuser removed from your home. If the domestic violence was directed towards your children, an order of protection can prevent the abuser from having any unsupervised parenting time with the children. Overall, once a court is convinced domestic violence has occurred, the court has a wide range of actions it can take to protect you and your children.
Domestic violence is not something you should tolerate or accept, ever, and when left unaddressed, it can escalate. Obtaining help when you need it is paramount. The Law Offices of George M. Sanders in Chicago are dedicated to advocating for your legal rights and your ongoing safety. We can help you address abusive behavior before, during, or after a divorce or custody case. Your health and wellbeing are important, so please do not wait to reach out and contact us today for more information about what we can do to help you, if you believe you are the victim of domestic violence.