Is your divorce the result of domestic abuse?

Many people might assume that it would be easy for a divorcing party to answer whether their divorce is linked to abuse in their marriage. Those who are unfamiliar with the sensitive subject, however, might not understand that myths about domestic abuse live on even within abuse victims.

Our divorce attorneys at The McKeon Law Firm know that there are various kinds of abuse beyond the obvious physical violence. So, even if a client thinks that they are choosing divorce because of overall mistreatment, they might truly be making the choice as a means to get out of an abusive relationship.

What do we mean by that? How could a victim not know that they are an abuse victim? When most people think of abuse, they think of physical assault. They think of broken bones, black eyes and other injuries.

There are other forms of victimization that family law attorneys see in their line of work:

• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial abuse

Constant name-calling, insults and threats can most definitely constitute an abusive relationship. Maybe your spouse limits your friendships and shuts you in from the world, including your family. Controlling your freedom and power by limiting your available funds is also a form of abusive control.

Finally, being married to someone does not mean that you are required to engage in sexual relations with him or her. If your partner forces you to be intimate or engage in acts that you are not comfortable with, your freedoms are being violated.

All divorce cases can be sensitive. Those that involve one or more forms of abuse are especially sensitive. If you know that you are at-risk in your relationship, tell your trusted family law attorney right away. The well-being of you and any children involved is most important.