DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE DECISION TO DIVORCE

Making a decision to end a marriage is never an easy decision. That situation can be even more difficult if there are also children are involved. That is primarily because the decision to split with a spouse can have severe financial consequences. The parent with custody of the children will often encounter additional parental duties and living expenses associated with the loss of the other spouse’s help.

However, despite these additional burdens, no spouse should ever feel as though he or she must remain in a situation where domestic violence is occurring. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, there is a strong link between domestic violence and homicide. NCADV says that 142 women were murdered at their jobs between 2003 to 2005 as a result of intimate partner violence.

Although more prevalent among women, domestic violence also happens to men. NCADV says that one in four men have had a violent experience with an intimate partner at some point in their lives. Additionally, it is estimated that 5.1 million men have experienced a situation where they have been stopped at some point in their lifetime.

The effects of domestic violence also have ancillary economic effects. For example, it is estimated that intimate partner violence accounts for approximately 8 million lost workdays each year. Somewhere between 21 through 60 percent of intimate violence victims have lost their jobs as a result of the actions perpetrated against them.

If you are currently in a situation where you are frequently intimidated, beaten or fearful for your life, you should know that you do not have to suffer quietly. Arizona laws extend powerful protections and privileges to married spouses and their children who are victimized by domestic violence. Your family law attorney can assist you in ending your marriage while also preserving you and your children’s futures.

Source: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “Domestic Violence Fact Sheet” Nov. 06, 2014