When Women Walk Away from the Abuser

Doorbell ringing, Jennifer opened the front door to find Marsha, her smiling, jovial childhood friend standing on the porch.

The despondent look on Jennifer's face told the story of another episode of abuse. This time, Mark, her husband of 10 years, had threatened to pour gasoline all over her body and light a match if she wasn't intimate with him.

The fear inscribed on Jennifer's face, prompted Marsha to calmly coaxed her friend into sharing the predicament with her mother and find refuge. On that day, after years of abuse, Jennifer took a step in the right direction. Her mother drove her to an abuse shelter to avoid confrontation from an abusive man, who'd threatened to take her life.

Like many women, Jennifer had suffered in silence to the point of potentially losing her life. Unlike, several abused mothers, sisters, aunts, friends and grandmothers, Jennifer found the courage through Marsha to walk away from the abuser. Our law firm can help women like Jennifer exit an abusive relationship through court-ordered injunctions, divorce proceedings, shelter referrals and legal counseling.

From 2003 to 2012, domestic violence comprised more than 20 percent of violent crimes. Most of these crimes are not reported, according to experts. The abused often don't know their rights, and tolerate the abuser with hopes that they will change. In 2015, domestic violence took center stage though widely publicized cases involving NFL players Ray Rice and Greg Hardy, who were accused of domestic violence. To learn more about victims of domestic violence read the U.S. News and World Report article

Some reasons why abuse is often unreported is women are too embarrassed; they want to avoid humiliation; and many do not believe law enforcement can assist them. Others are afraid of losing their jobs and being disenfranchised from friends. Women who suffer from battered women's syndrome, don't consider themselves victims, but believe they are part of the problem including rape and sexual assaults. Women stay in abusive relationships even at the expensive of their children's safety and emotional health. To learn more about victims who do not report or leave abusive relationships read The Guardian article

National and local agencies offer help and assistance in emergency situations. No one is without hope or options in a domestic violence situation that can end in life or death.