You may be wondering whether you can count on the family law court to help you if you have suffered non-physical abuse.
Family courts agree that exposure to abuse – both physical and verbal can be harmful for children. Such exposure includes hearing a violent event, witnessing the abuse of a parent or sibling, intervening, being used as a shield against abusive actions, experiencing the aftermath of a violent event including police involvement. The impact of exposure to domestic violence can be long-lasting and can result in the child becoming depressed, anxious, developing low self-esteem, engaging in substance abuse, and an inability to form trusting relationships with others.
There are different forms of non-physical abuse that can be viewed as domestic violence.
Your partner may harass or intimidate you by making threats against you and rightfully so you would fear for your safety. Here are some common examples:
• send you repeated emails or texts
• use derogatory language against you
• threaten to go bankrupt or to become unemployed to avoid paying child/spousal support
• damage or threaten to damage your property
• use financial restrictions to control you
• isolate you from family and friends to control you
• stalking
• expose the children to threats of violence against you
• make disparaging remarks against you to the children
• Disparage you in front of teachers, friends, and others
Cumulatively or individually depending on the extent of such behavior, the court may conclude that you are a victim of abuse.
