Filing an official case against a violent partner is a very difficult thing to do. Whether or not someone is hurting you, it is still very possible to feel love for that person. Be that as it may, no one deserves to be abused, and whether you know it or not, there are people who are ready and willing to help you. If you don’t know what to do or where to start, here is some legal advice for domestic violence victims.
- Speak with a few close friends and family members about the violence you are experiencing. If you have a violent spouse or domestic partner, it’s important that you discuss this with your close confidants so that they can testify in your favor. You might not want to discuss these issues with mutual friends, though, otherwise you could risk that person talking to your partner about your claims, which could spawn another violent outburst.
- Speak with an experienced lawyer before you make any major moves in your relationship. If your partner is hurting you, it’s important that you find a safe way to leave that person. However, this can often be very tricky. If you have joint assets or accounts, you want to be sure that you don’t lose those things, and you want to be sure there is a record of your claims before you confront your partner about your plans. That’s why you want to go to a lawyer who specializes in domestic abuse laws, like the ones at Widrig Law PLLC.
- Take plenty of pictures if you have any injuries that were caused by your partner. If your partner has caused physical harm to you, you want to have evidence of the pain they have inflicted. That’s why it’s always important to take pictures of those injuries. If your partner has a habit of checking your phone, you want to have a secret email account that you can send the pictures to before you delete them from your device.
- See a doctor as soon as possible. If your injuries are severe, you want to be sure to see a doctor right away. Not only do you need to be sure that you get the treatment that you need to heal from your injuries, but you want to have an official public record. A professional doctor will take thorough notes documenting all of your injuries so that proper conclusions can be made as to the source of your injuries. These reports will provide proof that you didn’t just fall down the stairs.
- File your claim as soon as possible. The sooner you file your domestic abuse claim, the more likely it is that you will win your case and your partner will be brought to justice. This can be a very difficult decision to make with all the feelings that you have for your partner, but you don’t have time to waste sympathizing with your abuser. It is a natural response, however, the sooner you allow your logical thoughts to dominate your emotional feelings, the sooner you will become a free agent in the one and only life you have to live.